By KALUMIANA KALUMIANA and SAMUEL LUKHANDA –
ZANACO coach Mumamba Numba says the good start to the 2016 MTN/FAZ Super League season has given his team confidence heading into this weekend’s CAF 2016 Confederation Cup clash against Stade Gabesien.
The bankers beat Nchanga Rangers 2-0 in a Week Three fixture on Sunday to see them collect maximum six points from their first two matches with one game in hand.
The win over Rangers came just seven days before they host the Tunisian club in a second round, first leg match this Saturday at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.
“I think the win gives us a good starting point and it is a big motivation for the upcoming game in the Confederation Cup.
We are now focusing on facing the Tunisian club but we really have to work very hard,” he said.
Zanaco, who eliminated Harare City of Zimbabwe 5-2 on aggregate in the first round last month, kicked off their league campaign last week with a 2-0 home win over Lusaka Tigers.
Meanwhile, Zesco United will today leave for Mali without the influential duo of David Odhiambo and Cletus Chama for the CAF Champions League first leg of the second round encounter against Stade Malien of Bamako.
Chama was sent off in Guinea against AC Horoya in the last round in an ill-tempered match marred by questionable officiating while Odhiambo is serving a one match suspension after accumulating two yellow cards in previous rounds.
Head coach George Lwandamina travels with the team after missing the Guinea skirmishes when the CAF congested fixtures could not allow him to travel with Zesco as he remained behind to prepare the Chipolopolo for the Nations Cup qualifier against Congo Brazzaville.
Zesco’s match will be played at Modibo Keita Stadium this Saturday at a 17:00 hours Zambian time.
The Zambian champions leave today aboard an Ethiopian Airlines from Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport in Ndola.
The team has goalkeepers Jacob Banda, Lameck Nyangu. Defenders: Bernard Mapili, Daut Musekwa, Ayo Oluwafemi, Ben Adama Banh and Simon Silwimba.
Midfielders:  Anthony Akumu Agay, Misheck Chaila, John Chingandu, Kondwani Mtonga, Maybin Mwaba , Mwelwa Mwape, Mathews Muzi Nkhowani Strikers: Lazarous Kambole, Idris Ilunga Mbombo, Jackson