By Ndinawe Simpelwe  –
ZESCO United opponents in the second round of the CAF Champions’ League, Stade Malien de Bamako have vowed to do everything possible to qualify to the group stages of the competition at the expense of the Zambia champions.
Malien President Boukary Sidibe told the club website that he was happy with the team’s progress to the second round and what remained was to ensure the team makes it to the group stage at all costs.
He said that the fans had played a pivotal role in supporting the team and he would ensure their presence was felt by Zesco United during the two legs against the Ndola side.
Malien made it to the pre-group stage round with a 2-1 aggregate win against Coton Sport of Cameroon after losing 1-0 in the second leg in Yaoundé.
“I would like to congratulate first of all the players and their managers for this qualification, despite the defeat. We are going to continue working hard for the Stade Malien Bamako so that they can win a ticket to the group phase of the Champions League.
“It’s really our most ardent wish. I take this opportunity to start pressing fans to mobilise and support Stade Malien Bamako. In any case, we’re going to do everything to put the team in better conditions,” Sidibe said.
Malien will be Mali’s flag carrier in CAF inter club championships after three other teams were eliminated.
The first leg against Zesco United, who dispatched Horoya FC of Guinea 4-3 on aggregate, will be played in Mali this Saturday ( April 9) before a return leg at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Zesco are chasing their second appearance in the CAF Champions’ League Group stage having achieved the feat in 2009 with late coach Fighton Simukonda.