ZESCO SEEKS REDEMPTION
AFTER firing head coach Mumamba Numba following the elimination from the CAF Confederations Cup, Ndola giants, Zesco United, begin their life without "Magic" when they take on Napsa Stars in a rescheduled Week-8 MTN/FAZ Super League fixture at the National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.
The Ndola giants will be seeking redemption after failing to go past the second preliminary stage in the CAF Confederations Cup on away goal rule following a 1-1 stalemate against South African club Royal AM.
Caretaker coach Alfred Lupiya will call the shots on the touchline for Zesco United who are aiming to bounce back to winning ways in the domestic league after picking draws in the last two games.
Fresh from winning the 2022 Under-20 Cosafa Championship as Chisi Mbewe' s assistant, Lu - piya w i l l seek to impress by guiding Zesco to victory to impress the Club Management for a possible confirmation for the head coach role. For NAPSA Stars, today's game against the Ndola giants presents an opportunity to return to winning ways after the goalless draw against Kansanshi Dynamos last weekend.
However NAPSA Stars coach Perry Mutapa is expecting a tough fixture from the Ndola giants who have dominated the domestic league in the last ten years.
"Playing Zesco United at home we need to pick up maximum points but it is not going to be easy. We are playing a team that has been playing well in the last ten years.
"Obviously Zesco don't have a head coach and the players are going to push themselves which is the case most of the time. They may try new players to impress so it’s going to be difficult more especially for us because Zesco are more dangerous at this point after being eliminated from the CAF but we know what to expect and it is not going to be easy. But as NAPSA we prepared for this game to win. They are dangerous but we are at home and planning for a victory," Coach Perry Mutapa said.
After unavailing experienced Augustine Mulenga as the club's new striker, Napsa Stars faithful will hope that the former Orlando Pirates striker makes an appearance today.
However, Coach Perry said Mulenga can only make an appearance once cleared by the club’s medical team as he is still working on fitness after staying for a long time without playing competitive matches.
Meanwhile defender David Odiambo who will be facing his former team, said the Pensioners are ready and determined to put up a spirited fight against Zesco United. "We are ready for Zesco United. We will not dwell on Zesco's current form, we are really focused on the game and we will give our best," Odiambo said. NAPSA Stars and Zesco United are 12th and 13th on the Super League table with nine points each and the winners of today's clash will propel to sixth on the League table.