From FELIX MALUNGA
in Abidjan, Ivory Coast –
HISTORY is beckoning for Zesco United here today when they face-off with an under pressure ASEC Mimosas in a crucial CAF 2016 Champions League Group A leg at the Stade Robert Champroux in the Ivorian capital.
After stunning the 1998 champions 3-1 in the first clash at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, Zesco are hoping to overhaul Ivory Coast’s most successful club from the competition and make Zambian club football history by qualifying to the semi finals.
A victory for the Zambian champions will almost put ‘Chicken’ George Lwandamina’s charges one foot into the last four.
Heading into this fixture, Zesco occupy the second slot on the table with six points, one adrift leaders Wydad Casablanca of Morocco.
ASEC, on their part, are trailing in third spot on three points and desperately need maximum points to revive their Champions League fortunes.
The 24-time Ivorian champions welcome back skipper Mahan Marc Goua, who missed the Ndola fixture due to suspension and in his absence Yannick Zakri captained the side.
However, Goua’s return has been shrouded in doubt after he limped off with an injury during a local game here at the weekend. ASEC are also expected to field Ibrahim Kone and goalkeeper, Herve Kouakou who both could not make the Ndola trip.
ASEC are hoping to avenge the loss they suffered to Zesco in Ndola where goals from Jackson Mwanza, John Ching’andu and Idriss Mbombo gave the Zambians the victory.
ASEC top scorer Youssouf Dao delivered a consolation at Levy and today coach Siaka Traore will be desperate to conjure up a home victory.
Lwandamina is aware of the danger posed by the vengeful Ivoirians and the need for the Zesco players to work hard and achieve the desired result here.
“They will want to make sure that they avenge the defeat, which they saw as humiliating. It will not be easy and we have to work really hard. It is an important match for us,” he said.
Lwandamina is expected to field almost the entire squad that dismantled ASEC in the first encounter.
Suspended midfielder Misheck Chaila is the only player missing today’s action with defender Daut Musekwa returning to the squad.
Hotshot Mbombo is scheduled to return to the starting squad to partner Jesse Jackson Were upfront with Kondwani Mtonga stepping up to fill the void left by Chaila in midfield, while Musekwa provides cover at the back.
This is poised to be an intriguing match, with the Ivoirians so far losing their only home match in the group against Wydad, while Zesco have only lost away in the group to the same Moroccan opposition.
In today’s other Group A fixture, Wydad will be hosting struggling Egyptian giants, Al Ahly in Rabat.