.Lwandamina

By FELIX MALUNGA –

ZESCO United coach George Lwandamina has included experienced striker Jonas Sakuwaha in his 18-man squad that leaves today for the decisive CAF Champions League tie against AS Kaloum of Guinea.
Lwandamina has also welcomed back international striker Jackson Mwanza and Nigerian defender, Ayo Oluwafemi, who missed the first leg due to suspension and injury, respectively.
In 2009, the 31-year-old Sakuwaha single-handedly dismantled Sudanese giants, El Merreikh in Omdurman in a famous 3-2 away victory for Zesco in the lucrative group stage of the Champions League.
The four-time Zambian champions, who fly out from Ndola to Bamako, Mali this afternoon for this Sunday’s crucial first round, second leg encounter against the Guineans, have however retained faith in almost the entire squad that kicked-off the 2015 CAF campaign.
Goalkeeper Jacob Banda, who at the weekend earned a recall to the national team in a friendly against Rwanda, will lead Zesco’s quest for a place in the second round of Africa’s premier club competition after a disappointing 1-1 home draw in Ndola on March 14.
According to a team list released by Zesco public relations officer, Katebe Chengo yesterday, other experienced players in the squad are international defender Kondwani Mtonga, midfielder Justin Zulu, striker Winston Kalengo and midfielder Misheck Chaila.
The Zesco delegation to be led by FAZ treasurer, Kelvin Mutafu is expected to depart Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport in Ndola around 15:30 hours today on an Ethiopian Airline and make a night-stop in Addis Ababa before connecting to Kaloum’s adopted home, Bamako.
Zesco chairperson, Kenneth Muteto is already in Mali with other officials as advance party ahead of the crunch tie set for Stade du 26 Mars.
Meanwhile, Zesco general secretary, Justin Mumba is optimistic of a positive result in Bamako but that the onus was on the Zambian champions to rise to the occasion.
“We can go and get the result in Bamako. They are a beatable side and there is nothing to worry about. We need to prepare adequately, we created scoring chances (in the first leg). This is football and there is no home ground advantage,” he told the club website.
Mumba said Zesco would fight hard to earn qualification to the next stage of the Champions League.
“We beat El Merreikh of Sudan (3-2 in the Champions League group stage match in 2009) in Khartoum and El Merreikh is a stronger side than AS Kaloum. We now know them (AS Kaloum) and we will fight until the end.
Even when we were down, the boys showed character and we scored,” he said.
Zesco will need an outright win or a 2-2 draw in Bamako to reach the second round of the competition.
The Zesco squad has: Goalkeepers-Jacob Banda (Captain), Lameck Nyangu;
Defenders-Ayo Oluwafemi, Daut Musekwa, Emmanuel Mathias, Chishimba Changala, Kondwani Mtonga;
Midfielders-Simon Silwimba, Misheck Chaila, Clatous Chama, John Ching’andu, Lazarous Kambole, Maybin Mwaba, Justin Zulu. Strikers- Jonas Sakuwaha, Jackson Mwanza, Humphrey Maseneko, Winston Kalengo.