Zesco United Vs Nkana
Levy Mwanawasa Stadium
15:00hrs
The traditional curtain-raiser for the soccer season, the Community Shield, takes place this Sunday as Zesco United welcome Nkana at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium. The two teams have made it into this match by beating Power Dynamos and ZANACO respectively.
ZESCO qualified to the Charity Shield semi final after bugging the 2016 Barclay’s Cup while Nkana were through for finishing third last season.
The Game Plans
Nkana
Nkana Fans will be excited to see new signings such as Aaron Katebe, Yanick Mulenda and Lucky Bwalya in action again after a successful outing in the semi finals.
Nkana had a scare when Walter Bwalya looked injured on Thursday but I think he could be fit for the Sunday game final.
The 12-time top flight champions have bolstered their squad considerably in the summer, with Aaron Katebe the capture that has attracted all the attention, especially that they managed to weaken the defending champions in ZANACO.
Pre-season has been excellent for these two teams and Nkana has posted very good results so far. For Zesco the passage into the play offs of the CAF Confederation Cup is a big testament that Nkana is up for a big test in this encounter.
With the performance of Zesco United against Power Dynamos and the fact that Nkana beat ZESCO on their last outing in Ndola, Zeddy Sailet admitted that Sunday’s encounter will be tough and he expects his boys to give it a big shout. In a telephone interview with Bwezani, Zeddy Sailet though said his team is up for the challenge.
“We beat them 3-2 last year , this one will be very tough but for us our objective was to play two games which we have achieved but looking at the magnitude of our team, we just need to get a positive result. ,” Sailet said.
Asked if he was under pressure after beating Zesco last time around, Zeddy refused the pressure.
“Am not under pressure because I just have to deal with what I have and see what happens .”
His thought of Nkana winning the league title as the agenda being purported by the fans:
“Of course people have seen how we have started our preparation and the Pre season games have been very good and I have seen the progression and if we continue with the same spirit we shall be one of the best teams this season. ” Concluded Sailet.
Zesco United
I had doubts of Zlat but he is proving me wrong. Doubts have been circling in me this Pre season especially that he had no hand with players that joined the club. But Zlat refuses to let such talk of him not knowing Zambian football get to his side, and is relishing the chance to take on a stronger-looking Nkana on Sunday.
Zlat has a good squad and already the inclusion of Fackson Kapumbu is one big boost but a coach needs to be good with such talented squad because there is a possibility of a rift due to selection but so far Zlat looks to be handling that very well. He promised trophies and he may bug in the shield on Sunday which would be a boost.
This is also a good training match for the encounter for the away game against Enugu Rangers. Zesco need to be ambitious but they should also know that it will be very hard and I hope some fans have told Zlat that ZESCO doesn’t enjoy losing to Nkana.
This is not a friendly and the teams should give their maximum and that’s what the fans who will flock Levy Mwanawasa will be hoping for. Both teams want to win it.
Team News
Joseph Musonda scored a classic on Thursday and he could be given a first call in this one. I think the usual suspects of Ronald Kampamba and Walter Bwalya will start while Jacob Ngulube looks set to continue in the midfield. The defence was okay on Thursday and hope Diego Apanene is fit to start because Nkana needs his alertness. Zeddy Sailet revealed that he has team is ready for the challenge, he has a full squad to choose from.
Zlat has plenty of attacking options to choose from, but he is likely to go with Iddris and Jesse Were as the focal point of the attack, especially that Jackson Mwanza is a doubt for the game.
Odiambo David Owino should be an obvious starter with Kondwani improving his going forward, Nkana should have a busy afternoon with this ZESCO United side.
⚽⚽⚽ Statistics you would want to know ⚽⚽⚽
??Nkana are the record holders of the shield after winning it on 15 occasions with their latest coming in 2014 when they beat Red Arrows 3-1.
??Zesco have won the shield on three occasions and two of those times they beat Nkana in 2011 (3-0) and 2015 (3-1). The third time was beating Kabwe Warriors 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 score line after regulation time in 2007.
??If Nkana win, it will be the first time they beat ZESCO on the final of any competition.
??Zesco United enjoys playing Nkana in any final, in 2007 Zesco beat NKANA 5-0 in the Coca cola Cup final.
??In 2014 Zesco again beat Nkana 3-0 in the Barclay’s Cup final .
??That’s the record Nkana should try to stop as they walk into this final on Sunday.
My Verdict
Big game as this Nkana team look good and can surprise Zesco on any day. They are grouping very well and can cause another upset at Levy Mwanawasa and leave Zesco wondering what happened.
Without a doubt Zesco are favourites to win this one and they wouldn’t want to allow Nkana to come to Levy and beat them at their back yard . But this is a final and a good team on the day gets the shield. The weakness of ZESCO will again be overlapping of Odiambo and could leave the defence exposed . Ronald Kampamba and Walter are leathal and could expose the Zesco defence.
My Verdict: Zesco ⚽ 1-1⚽ Nkana
Nkana to win on penalties
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Enjoy the game!!!!!
