By Ndinawe Simpelwe –
LEAGUE defending champions Zesco United have another shot at reducing the gap on leaders Zanaco when they host Mufulira Wanderers at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in a rescheduled MTN/FAZ Week 16 fixture.
It will be Zesco’s second game in a space of three days having drawn 1-1 against Green Buffaloes on Saturday in another rescheduled tie.
The draw on Saturday saw second placed Zesco reduce the gap at the top to eight points which will today push them for a win and reduce the deficit to five points with one more game against Nakambala Leopards in hand.
Zesco coach George Lwandamina said it was not easy for his players to commit fully in a league match with a CAF Champions’ league coming for fear of picking up injuries.
He however, said it was regrettable to drop points when the objective was to keep the leaders in sight.
The hosts will start as favourites this afternoon but will need to be careful as they face Wanderers, who are unbeaten in their last five games.
The Mufulira giants went for nine games without picking a win but have since put up spirited fights in their recent matches which will give them confidence against a Zesco side whose mind is partly concentrating on the Champions League game against Asec Mimosas this weekend.
Wanderers have a new coach at the helm of the technical bench in Paulo Silva, whose only game in charge so far ended in a 1-1 draw against Red Arrows and he will be eager to stamp his signature with a win against the champions.
However, Silva’s big concern is the fact that Wanderers are yet to win an away game this season making the tie this afternoon very tough for him.
Wanderers are on 12th position with 18 points while Zesco have 31 points.