ZANACO will camp in Zimbabwe ahead of the CAF Champions League preliminary round first leg against Armed Forces FC of Gambia.

The team that is currently in Chipata for pre-season training has clinched friendlies with Zimbabwean sides.

Among the teams Zanaco will face include Premier Division side Ngezi Platinum.

Coach Mumamba Numba said in an interview from Chipata that the friendlies will help his side shape up for the CAF Inter-Club fixture.

Zanaco will host Armed Forces in the first leg on February 10 before travelling to Gambia on the weekend February 20.

“Friendlies are what we need to prepare for the Champions League. We are currently off season meaning we don’t have game time. Friendlies will help us gauge where we are in terms of competition. We are happy that we will play at least three games in Zimbabwe before we host Armed Forces,” he said.

Numba said the team is shaping up well and adding that the bankers will not underrate the Gambian side.

Meanwhile, Zanaco chairman Edward Mutale says the club will not block any player from signing professional deals abroad.

Zanaco has five players with the national team at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) finals in Morocco.

The five players are goalkeeper Toaster Nsabata, defender Ziyo Tembo, midfielders Augustine Mulenga and Ernest Mbewe and striker Martin Phiri.

“All our players are doing well and we will not block their way if they decide leave. We are prepared,” Mutale said.

The five players are part of Zanaco’s list for the CAF Champions League.