By MOSES CHIMFWEMBE –
ZESCO United coach, Tenant Chembo has demanded improved performance from his charges starting with the 2014 CAF Confederations Cup first round, first leg match against Ferroviarro da Beira of Mozambique on March 1.
The 2013 MTN-FAZ Premier League runners up have had a poor pre-season campaign losing six consecutive games with fans expressing worry on the team showing ahead of the CAF continental games and MTN-FAZ Premier League.
That stuttering pre-season build up saw the club sponsors, Zesco Limited, send the team to Mongu for a retreat aimed at rebuilding the team spirit ahead of the continental skirmishes.
But Chembo, who described the team camping in Mongu as successful, has assured fans that they will see an improvement from Zesco starting next weekend as the club achieved its objective of rebuilding team spirit.
He said the trip to Mongu which was part of Zesco’s annual pre-season training programme, was a key ingredient in helping the team to rediscover their winning formula following a shaky start to the new year.
“We had a successful outing in Mongu and the players are ready to face real challenges. The team spirit in camp is high and we are looking forward for a different performance this time around locally and in the CAF Confederation Cup,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chembo said striker Alfred Luputa is out of next weekend’s first leg clash against Ferroviarro da Beira due to a recurring injury.
He, however, said defence linchpin Zimisileni Moyo, who sustained an ankle injury during Zesco’s Samuel ‘Zoom’ Ndhlovu Charity Shield’s 2-1 defeat against Red Arrows early this month at Arthur Stadium, has returned to light training.
Chembo said he was happy to have Moyo back in the squad despite the defender racing against time to be fit and feature against Ferroviarro de Beira.
Ferroviarro de Beira advanced to the first round of the CAF Confederation Cup after knocking out Tanzania’s Azam 2-1 on aggregate.