By GWEN CHIPASULA –
ZESCO United received a boost ahead of their departure today for Ivory Coast after defender David Odhiambo returned to full training in readiness for Wednesday’s CAF 2016 Champions League Group A clash against ASEC Mimosas.
But there was bad news for coach George  Lwandamina who will be without Misheck Chaila for the must-win match after accumulating two yellow cards in the competition.
The Zambian champions are second in the group on six points behind leaders Wydad Casablanca on seven points while ASEC have three and Al Ahly are bottom with just a point.
Odhiambo missed Zesco’s 3-1 win over ASEC at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium due to an illness but has recovered and was part of team training in Lusaka where the team set up base.
Lwandamina said in an interview at Independence Stadium that Odihambo was being closely assessed by the medical team to ascertain his fitness for the match but was confident that the player will be ready for the match.
“He is an inclusion because he has been training with the team, so we are here to give him fitness test and he will be ready after the last session,” he said.
Lwandamina said the team will miss the services of Chaila because he has his own unique attributes but was quick to mention that a replacement was available for his position.
He said playing in West Africa will be a 50-50 encounter but that the team will take each game as it comes.
Zesco shifted base to Lusaka on Friday to train on artificial turf as ASEC use a synthetic field, the team is scheduled to leave tomorrow via South Africa.
“Our objective just like any other team is to score. Football is difficult everywhere and you will never find an easy game and you just have to do your homework right whether you are at home or away. If we fail and it is a barren situation that is also part of football,” he said.
Lwandamina added that the players know what is at stake, adding that it is a motivating factor for the team as they want to play on a bigger platform and market themselves.
Full team:  Goalkeepers ; Jacob Banda ,Brown Nyirenda
Defenders ; Shemmy Mayembe, David Owino Odhiambo, Ayo Oluwafemi, Ben Adama Banh, Daut Musekwa, Simon Silwimba.
Midfielders; Maybin Mwaba, John Chingandu, Kondwani Mtonga, Mwelwa Mwape, Clatous Chama, Mathews Muzi Nkhowani, Anthony Akumu Agay
Strikers; Idris Ilunga Mbombo, Jackson Mwanza, Jesse Jackson Were