Division one side Kabwe Warriors will this afternoon have a chance to test their credentials when they face Premier League defending champions Zesco United in the fourth Barclays Cup quarterfinal match to be played at Nkoloma stadium in Lusaka.
Warriors come into the match with the tag of underdog but Zesco United are experienced enough and should win without any difficulties given the strength of their squad. This is so evidently clear by the 3-1 hammering of National Assembly in their last League match. The inform striker Winston Kalengo bagged a brace in that win and will once again lead Zega’s attack with Jackson Mwanza and ex chipolopolo winger Clifford Mulenga partnering him upfront.
Two giants in the Zesco midfield in the shape of Misheck Chaila and Justine Zulu will go toe to toe with former teammates at Kabwe Warriors and will definitely have to be at their best to outmuscle their former employers. In defence coach George Lwandamina will depend on Simon Silwimba, David Owino and Dauti Musekwa to keep out the Warriors foray while Jacob Banda should be able to retain his spot between the sticks.
On the other hand Kabwe Warriors have the desire and passion to succeed with a youthful squad. Buoyed by a 2-0 away win at City of Lusaka last weekend as they look set for promotion to the elite League, the magnificent people’s team carry a threat of their own in the attacking ranks.
Coach Mohammed Fathy will rely on the triple strike partnership of Paul Simpemba, Lameck Kafwaya and Idris Mbombo. In the midfield, Warriors will look to the services of Martin Daka, Godfrey Ngwenya and Jacob Phiri.
However, their weakness has been in defence. The back four of Kasongo, Ngwenya, Kalulu and Moonga, will have to be at their best to thwart Zesco United’s free flowing football and ensure that goal keeper William Chibale has very little work to do.
It is a big ask for Kabwe Warriors to progress to the semi-finals given the pedigree of their opponents but football has its own surprise packages.
In an early kick off at 12:45 CAT, we see another David versus Goliath match with the much unknown Lumwana Radiant locking horns with Zanaco Football Club.
Today’s fixtures Sunday 20 September 2015
Zanaco v Lumwana Radiants 12:45
Zesco United v Kabwe Warriors 14:55
