By MOSES CHIMFWEMBE –
ZESCO United today begin their quest for continental glory when they take on Mbabane Swallows of Swaziland at Somhlolo National Stadium in the first leg tie of the preliminary round of the 2015 CAF Champions League.
With the return leg billed for Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in two weeks time, Zesco head coach George ‘Chicken’ Lwandamina will be seeking an outright victory to kick start the competition on a high note to make up for last year’s disappointing showing.
Having been booted out of the 2014 Confederation Cup in the first round by Sporting Club Medeama of Ghana, Lwandamina will be eyeing to make amends by cruising past Swallows to progress to the next stage.

• COOLING OFF BEFORE THE STORM….ZESCO United players quenching their thirst during a training session at the National Stadium in Mbabane, Swaziland yesterday for today’s CAF Champions League tie against Mbabane Swallows. Picture by ZESCO UNITED FC

“The players are geared to face any opponent because they know the challenge that lies ahead of us and we will play our game with the right attitude and our target is to beat Swallows,” Lwandamina said.
Zesco beefed up the squad during the transfer window by bringing in five players who included three foreign based players in defender David Odhiambo, Ayo Oluwafemi and striker Christopher Chigozie as well as locals Misheck Chaila and Humphrey Maseneko.
To get the job done in Manzini, Lwandamina has gone for experience with Jackson Mwanza and Winston Kalengo expected to lead the attack alongside new signing Juma Liuzio.
Togolese international Emmanuel Mathias, who had a successful 2014 season, is expected to form a barricade in central defence with Bernard Mapili but Lwandamina also has options of fielding his new acquisition Oluwafem and Odhiambo.
Kondwani Mtonga will return to Zesco midfield duties after a six month long loan spell in India and he is expected to partner Justin Zulu and Clatous Chama in supplying the frontline.
On the other hand, Swallows will be seeking to end the juggernaut that has seen them fall at the hands of Zambian opponents in the last two editions, with Zanaco and Nkana in 2013 and 2014 respectively.
The ‘Umkhonto Kashaka’ as Swallows are fondly known, will not be pushovers in this encounter. Swallows proved to be a tough nut to crack at home when they stunned Nkana in the 2014 edition with a convincing 2-0 victory, only to fall in the return leg with a disappointing 5-2 defeat in Kitwe.
The winner over both legs will play either Sewe Sport of Ivory Coast or AS Kaloum of Guinea in next month.