MUKWIMA CHILALA writes
ZAMBIA’s representative in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) champions’ league, Zesco United, have set the ball rolling ahead of the preliminary games this weekend.
The Zambian champions announced a strong CAF Champions League team that included the bulk of their seasoned players, led by veteran captain Jacob Banda.
Coach George Lwandamina has however fused in three new names to last year’s CAF Champions League squad.
The Ndola outfit will most notably miss star strikers Lazarus Kambole and Maybin Kalengo who have joined Kaizer Chiefs and Yanga Sports Club respectively.
Veteran striker, Winston Kalengo, has been left out of the 22 member squad and has since been replaced by Ugandan striker Umaru Kasumba.
In goal, the experienced Jacob Banda will get the nod ahead of Burundi international Dieudonne Ntibahezwa and Under 23 goalkeeper Samson Banda.
Simon Silwimba, Shemmy Mayembe, Solomon Sakala and David Odhiambo, have made the trip alongside Congolese defender Marcel Kalonda, Clement Mwape, and Mwila Phiri.
Defender Jackson Kapumbu is the notable missing name from the backline.
Seasonal campaigners, Kondwani Mtonga and Misheck Chaila, have made the cut to lead the midfielders, alongside John Ching’andu, Mwape Mwelwa, and Japanese international Kosuke Nakamachi.
Anthony Akumu and Enock Sabamukama will miss out on the trip as they are out nursing injuries.
Kenyan striker, Jesse Were, leads the striking force options with newly acquired Saviour Nkonkola who joined from Prison Leopards and Umaru Kasumba from Kenyan Premier Soccer League side Sofapaka Football Club.
Zesco left for South Africa yesterday and will connect to Eswatini on Friday ahead of the first leg encounter.
