Pitso will push hard against underdogs

ZESCO United’s appearance in the semifinals of the African Champions League is something of a surprise‚ given their paucity of resources.

But they are a team not to be underestimated after confidently marching through the pool phase.

The Zambian champions face Mamelodi Sundowns in the semifinals of the continent’s elite club competition and will be underdogs in the eyes of many.

But there is a steely quality about the team from Ndola and they cannot be discounted.

Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane will certainly be well aware of the task in front of his team.

Sundowns, who previously camped in Ndola and played friendlies against Zesco in recent years‚ also loaned them former Zambia national team captain Hichani Himonde and Togo international Emmanuel Matthias.

That familiarity will be an asset‚ especially in the away leg of the semifinal to be staged on the weekend of September 17-18. The second leg in Pretoria will be a week later.

Mosimane has previously talked up the performances of Zesco in this year’s competition‚ especially with regards to their mental strength.

Zesco are coached by George Lwandamina‚ who until recently doubled up as the Zambia national team coach.

They won their place in the competition after lifting the domestic league title in 2015‚ retaining the trophy they had won the year before.

They gave a stern warning of their potential in the second round of qualifying with a 5-2 aggregate win over vaunted Stade Malien‚ which included a 3-1 away win.

Their formula for success through the pool stages was simple – pick up wins at home and get draws on the road‚ something they managed at Egyptian giants Al Ahly (2-2) and Ivorian side Asec Mimosas (1-1)‚ who had earlier in the competition knocked out Kaizer Chiefs.

It is a sign of where they currently are that Lwandamina laid into his players in the wake of the 2-2 draw in Cairo‚ suggesting they should have won the game comfortably.

Kenya international striker Jesse Were has been a star performer for them in this campaign‚ along with Zambian international midfielder Clatous Chama and another Kenyan‚ David Owino.

They also draw their squad from other parts of the continent, with Ivorian defender Adama Bahn playing an influential role‚ along with D R Congo forward Idris Mbombo‚ who is their leading scorer in the tournament to date with five goals. Chama and Were have four each. — TMG Digital