ZESCO United head coach Mumamba Numba has challenged his strikers to be more clinical on target when the team clashes with Royal AM in the CAF Confederations Cup first leg of the second preliminary round of qualifiers on Sunday at Durban’s Moses Mabhida stadium, South Africa.
Speaking in an interview before departure, Wednesday, Numba said Sunday’s encounter against the South African side is redemption time for some of his strikers who have missed numerous chances in front of goal in the league
“It is redemption time for some of our players, especially for the strikers after missing numerous chances in the league. They need to show that they can play and score goals for the team. We are challenging our strikers to be more clinical on target and finish off the chances that will come our way. We have the quality that can get us goals but all they need is composure and patience when taking chances inside the box,” Numba said.
Numba said he expects his players to go into Sunday’s match against Royal AM with great confidence and the right mindset as well as attitude.
“The team we have carried is in good shape and the morale in camp is very high. They are all looking forward to Sunday’s game against Royal AM. Everyone is pushing and working hard to get the right results. We need to go into this game with the right confidence and mindset. Remember that this is a two-legged fixture. It will be great for us to get a win on that side because that will put us in a good position to get through to the Group stage of the competition,” he said.
The gaffer said Royal AM is not a pushover side to be underrated by any team participating in CAF.
“Royal AM is not a new club side. They just changed names from Bloemfontein Celtics to Royal AM due to a change in ownership. This is not a team to underrate because they have the experience. We will take them on like any other strong team. I don’t think they have an edge over us despite them playing the first games of the competition. I think we have also played six league games which have put us in a better place to get three points. I think the team is ready and we just need to go there with our heads up,” Numba said.
Royal AM has had a positive start to this year’s CAF Confederations Cup after edging Mbabane Highlanders in the first preliminary round of the qualifiers.
The Zesco travelling contingent was without exciting winger Songa Chipyoka who is currently off to the Eswatini U-20 COSAFA tournament.
Numba has however declared the winger’s availability for Sunday’s CAF Confederations Cup match.
“Songa will join us after he plays the first game at COSAFA in Eswatini. He is equally in good shape and ready for the game. I wish to also mention that we have left out Vincent Oburu because he is not fully fit. Chaitya Mususu, Spencer Sautu, and Simon Silwimba are also out due to an injury,” said Numba.
The full squad has goalkeepers Ian Otieno and Gregory Sanjase while defenders are Jackson Ngulube, Samson Mkandawire, Shemmy Mayembe, Clement Mwape, Solomon Sakala, and Peter Maker Manyang,
Midfielders include Donashano Malama, Kelvin Kapumbu, Chanda Mukuka, John Ching’andu, Austin Muwowo, Kelvin Kampamba, Collins Sikombe, Edward Lungu, Songa Chipyoka, and Kezroni Kizito while strikers are Enock Sakala and Alfred Leku.
