ZESCO United Stumbles Again in Confederation Cup
While they continue to suffer in the Caf competition group stages under Zlatko, Zesco United has done themselves no favors in the way they are approaching these games. In a competition where success has still eluded them despite their massive and experience management for few years now, United would have liked to have gotten into the Caf confederation Group Stage off to a better start, especially after that excellent run in the champions league last season. Through 4 games they are in danger of sitting 3rd with just 2 games to play and that one crucial one away to Smouha is next in Egypt!
But while the poor run of results is a setback, there is still hope yet that Zesco United will qualify for the knockout rounds of Africa’s second trye.
Zesco United got the Champions League group stage to a tough start narrowly beating Smouha to a 1-0 victory in Ndola before going to lose by a lone goal in Sudan against Al Hilal Obeyed . That was from escaping Smouha with three points at home to a heartbreaking loss in Sudan, it was the worst way to kick-start the campaign in the group stage.
However, losing to an opponent away isn’t the end of the world, and one would have expected Zesco United to come roaring back with their second match at home to Recreativo Libolo. It was not to be. The Angolan club was equal to the task and again narrowly lost 1-0, with consolation that it doesn’t matter how you win as long as you get maximum point. In a game Libolo largely controlled, they just couldn’t find the difference and stuttered to a 1-0 victory. Yes stuttered because they needed to improve the goal difference which has pushed the! down today.
But their fourth match has to be the most disappointing result and it just showed that Libolo was a better side again in a second game Zesco was playing them.
Just from the start it showed that Zesco was no match for the Angolans team. The tragic moment would come early on and by the time Libolo was scoring third goal through a penalty, Zesco had no chance of coming back yet alone getting a consolation to improve their goal difference.
The final 3-0 result has now left Zesco United fans scratching their heads and bemoaning another falter on the African scene.
There is still hope yet as United will have 1 home game but before that, they desperately will need to get something on their away game in Egypt. A trip to Egypt with everything on the line is not ideal, but chances are it could decide the team’s fate. With players like Jesse Were, Iddriss Mbombo, and Odiambo Owino you’d expect the team to be flying, but it just feels like a concerning bout of weakness envelopes this club in this years confederation Cup. Such disappointments in Angola have squandered a full 3 points from their clutches that would have given them a shot at winning the group.
And here lies the real challenge for Zesco United. Even should they rally to finish 2nd in their group (which seems most likely), they will face a group winner like Supersport or TP Mazembe in the round of 8, closer to last year when they were eliminated at the semi final stage by Sundown in gje Champions league. Winning the group would be much more comfortable, though that hope is likely off the table at this point.
The club needs a boost of confidence in this competition and someone needs to step up and make the difference. To me, Jesse Were or Iddriss need to take on this role. Until such time, Zesco United will continue to flounder about in the CAF confederation Cup to the chagrin of their fans and excessively affluent administration which seem to be best in the country.
This has to be done the soonest before an outcry of Zlat to leave starts drumming in Ndola!!!
