Zesco United hope to extend their unbeaten run in 2017 to seven competitive games when they host Konkola Blades in a FAZ Super Division Week 1 game today.

The match at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola will mark Zesco’s entry into the 2017 league title race.

This is after missing the first two rounds of the campaign due to their 2017 CAF Confederation Cup pre-group stage engagements against Enugu Rangers that they successfully negotiated with a 5-2 aggregate win over the Nigerians.

Zesco face promoted Blades hoping to make a bright start to the season after starting the year unbeaten with four wins and two draws so far.

They also return to domestic action a fortnight after lifting the season-opening Charity Shield following a 2-0 win over Nkana in the final on April 2 to hand new coach Zlatko Krmpotic his debut silverware.

However, Zesco will continue to be without striker Jackson Mwanza, defender Simon Silwimba and midfielder Misheck Chaila who have been out for the last three weeks due to injuries.

But Zesco are not short on depth with striker Jesse Were and John Chingandu who have scored four goals in all competition for Zesco will be gunning to open their league accounts.

And then there is also the curious case of striker Idris Mbombo who has endured a frustrating start in all five games and he will be looking to end his 2017 drought.

Meanwhile, Blades will be praying to continue with their bright start after beating Green Buffaloes 1-0 in Chililabombwe on Saturday.

Blades were the first promoted team to earn a win before City of Lusaka joined them 24 hours later with Sundays 4-1 away bashing of Mufulira Wanderers in a Week 2 win game in Mufulira.