ZESCO UNITED to stop being tormented by South African Clubs

Mamelodi Sundowns eliminated ZESCO United in the semi finals of the Champions League in 2016 while Supersport did the same to the ZESCO United in 2017 .

That is the wind blowing among Kaizer Chiefs followers including the Coach Ernst Middendorp of Kaizer Chiefs who believes the Soweto side can just be the third South African side to achieve that feet against the Zambian champions.

That is the story ZESCO United is fighting to stop and create history of their own. United must give up a 3-1 first-leg advantage on Saturday to be eliminated by the third South African club in four seasons in CAF competition.

Mamelodi Sundowns achieved the feat in 2016 and SuperSport United the following season, and Chiefs’ German coach Ernst Middendorp believes his team playing at home can achieve it.

The Coach believes the fans at FNB stadium can make the difference and push his side from overcoming that big loss they suffered in Zambia,
“We need a big crowd roaring us on while the team must be more clinical in the final third than they were in Zambia last weekend,” he said.

Fitness could also be a major factor in the Confederation Cup play-off second leg at Soccer City stadium in Soweto with Chiefs playing their fifth match in 15 days in all competitions.

But Zesco United is aware of the challenge that lie ahead and knows an away goal would give them safety advantage after conceding a Khama Billiat goal at home and Lazarous Kamobole believes the game will be tough but he is positive that United will come out winners..

“knowing that Kaizer Chiefs is a very good team, we are going to treat them just like that, this time around we are going to break the jinx of loosing out to South African teams. We know what we want, we are focused” said Kambole.

Chiefs must succeed where many South African clubs fail in CAF competitions – score at least twice under pressure while keeping a clean sheet.

Zimbabwean Khama Billiat netted in Zambia, his fourth of the campaign, and is likely to pose the biggest threat to Zesco goalkeeper Jacob Banda.

Zesco want an ‘away’ goal to cancel the one conceded in Ndola and have proven good forwards in the team in Lazarous Kambole and Kenyan Jesse Were.

Zesco United continue missing the services of Odiambo Owino and Enoch Sabumukama due to injuries but the defence will be boosted by Marcel Kalonda who missed the first leg due to suspension .

Prediction
ZESCO United is capable of scoring an away goal but challenge he will be keeping the Zimbabwean international at bay who was rested in mod week for this crucial game. I think Zesco United with lose but qualify to group stages.

Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 Zesco United