ZESCO United defender has set his sights at challenging for a first team place this season after an impressive run of form in seven games last year.

Lupiya featured seven times for the Ndola giants scoring once and providing five assists in Zesco’s failed campaign to defend the league title which was eventually bagged by ‘Bankers’ Zanaco.

The budding defender told the club’s official website zescounitedfc.com that he is looking forward to a good season this year picking from where he left off in 2016.

He said he was humbled to have been handed an opportunity to contribute to the teams runners-up finish in the league thereby securing a 2017 CAF Confederation Cup slot in the process.

“I am very ready because in football what is important is competition when you have competition you will improve I just want to continue where I left off last year so that I move forward,” he said.

He said he has been drawing inspiration from an array of people including teammate Shemmy Mayembe who put up a good performance during the club’s impressive run in the Champions League last year.

Zesco reached the semi-final of the prestigious continental club competition under the tutelage of former Chipolopolo trainer George Lwandamina.