By KALUMIANA KALUMIANA in Bujumbura –
ZESCO United hope to wrap-up their first round campaign in the 2017 CAF Confederation Cup when they meet with hosts Le Messager Ngozi in Burundi this afternoon.
The match will kickoff at 15:00 Zambian time at Prince Louis Stadium in Bujumbura.
Zesco are in Burundi armed with a 2-0 home win recorded on March 10 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola courtesy of goals from Jackson Mwanza and Kondwani Mtonga.
A draw will suffice for Zesco to head into the pre-group stage but coach Zlatko Krmpotic said he will not settle for less than a win.
The match will also be played on artificial pitch and Krmpotic said it will present a challenge that Zesco still must overcome.
We have had not enough training on an artificial pitch but we must try and adapt to these conditions and get a win from this,” the Serbian-born coach said.
Zesco have made minor changes from the team that played in the first leg with goalkeeper Jacob Banda expected to return after missing the first leg due to suspension.
Defender Simon Silwimba has missed the trip after sustaining an injury in the first leg and Dauti Musekwa should fill that position at right back in his absence.
Zesco’s attack is unchanged and Idris Mbombo who showed last season that he can be a notoriously slow starter in terms of goals will be looking to open his account after finishing as Zesco’s top scorer in 2016 continental games on five goals.
Krmpotic will also bank on Jesse Were and Mwanza.
Meanwhile, Ngozi are hoping to stay unbeaten at home in the competition this year after overturning a 2-1 loss against KVZ of Zanzibar in February to  win 3-1 at home in the final leg.

Medic is also hoping to see more support for his attackers Oliver Bayizere and Youssuf Hakizimana who showed encouraging glimpses of what Ngozi could do with better support from midfield.
Winner over both legs will advance to the pre-group stage in April where they will be drawn against teams relegated from the CAF Champions League first round games.