Zesco United coach George Lwandamina has used an interesting boxing analogy to describe their quest to end their winless away run against Angolan opposition in continental football in Saturday’s CAF Champions League Group A opener against Premiero de Agosto in Luanda.
The Zambian champions are in Angola for the third time where they have lost in successive outings.
Ironically, Zesco’s last defeat in Angola was at the hands of their host this weekend in another group stage match in the 2018 edition of the competition.
Agosto beat Zesco 2-1 after a 0-0 away draw in Ndola.
Prior to that, Zesco were crushed 3-0 away in Calulo by CRD Libolo in the group stage of the 2017 CAF Confederation Cup.
“We go into every game with a positive mind. No coach goes into a match saying I am going to lose,” Lwandamina said.
“But only one coach will win but that will not give us an exception that what happened to us the other year will happen again. We have to improve and that is why we compete all the time.
“If I give you an example of Mohammed Ali; he once lost to George Foreman.
“Did he say I am stopping? He continued until he got back the title.”
Zesco need to leave Luanda with at least a point ahead of heavyweight meeting against five-time champions TP Mazembe whom they host in Ndola on match -day-two on December 7.
But Zesco should be fueled by compatriots Green Eagles feat two months ago against Agosto in Luanda when they collected a rare away win in Luanda for a Zambian club in continental competition.
However, Eagles’ 1-0 win in a pre-group stage final leg fixture on September 29 was not enough to save their CAF Champions League group stage ambitions and bowed out on away goals rule following a 2-2 aggregate result.
CAF Champions League
Mamelodi Sundowns and Asfar advance to Quarter-finals
CAF Champions League
TP Mazembe bow out with big win over leaders Al Hilal
CAF Champions League
MC Alger book Quarter-finals spot after draw with Yanga
CAF Champions League
Orlando Pirates capped their incredible with Al Ahly win
Women's Football
FAZ appoints Hauptle as new Copper Queens Coach
Africa Cup of Nations
CAF Slaps Libya with $50,000 fine, Benin also sanctioned
CAF Champions League
Raja Casablanca upset Mamelodi Sundowns
CAF Champions League
Mouth Watering CAF Champions League matches lined up
CAF Champions League
Al Ahly, Al Hilal Omdurman and Esperance looking to book Quarter-finals slot
Must See
-
AFRICA
/ 4 years agoSierra Leone FA President Isha Johansen endorses Patrice Motsepe for CAF President
Sierra Leone FA President who also doubles up as CAF Executive Council member Madam...
-
Football
/ 4 years agoIT JUST CAN NOT BE – AN AFRICA FULL OF MORONS?
By John De Mathews, There is an eerie silence around Africa, and it is...