But for how long?
Zambia may have failed to qualify to the AFCON 2019 tournament but it’s babies involved in club competitions representing the country have lifted the spirit of footballing family. These clubs have not disappointed in their quest to clinch Group stage slots in the new CAF arranged Club competitions.
Zambia represented by men in uniform that is Green Eagles and Green Buffaloes in the Confederation Cup, with seasoned campaigners in the continental football going to Nkana and Zesco United in the Champions League opened up with wins both in their away and home games.
Green Eagles 2-0 Young Buffaloes
Green Eagles who are participating for the first time in the competition were at home against Young Buffaloes of Newly renamed Eswantini formerly Swaziland and started on a high with 2-0 scoreline at half of this two legged encounter. New acquisition, Edward Mwamba, formerly of National Assembly scored the first and Jonathan Mandingo added a second late on in the second half.
It was also the first time Choma, Southern Province’s headquarters was hosting a CAF game. Eagles travel to Eswantini this coming weekend for the second leg. Should they avoid defeat they will likely face Algerian Ney Hussein Dey who are leading from their first leg ecounter against Diables Noirs of Congo Brazzaville.
Green Buffaloes 2-0 Al Merreikh Juba
Green Buffaloes who were playing at home beat the South Sudan outfit at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka 2-0 with both goals coming in to the second half. Thanks to Steward Chikandiwa, an acquisition from Nkwazi who opened the scoring and Friday Samu added a second to take a big advantage to South Sudan. The team leaves for South Sudan on Friday to complete the two legged fixture.
In the wait should Green Buffaloes make it to the first round, is giants CS Sfaxien of Tunisia.
AS SONIDEP 1-2 ZESCO United
The Zambian Champions headed to West Africa in Niger to take on AS SONIDEP and managed a 2-1 away win with two precious away goals that could be crucial in the second leg for the Zambian club. Rahim Osumanu, formerly of Buildcon and Mufulira Wanderers scored the opener in Niger and the ever reliable Lazarous Kambole made sure Zesco United travel back to Zambia with two away goals.
Dognon had equalised for AS SONIDEP in the 77th minute before Kambole got a winner at the dearth of that encounter.
Zesco in pole position and should they progress, they play African giant in TP Mazembe which hosts a number of Zambian players.
UD SONGO 1-2 Nkana
Nkana will host UD SONGO in a weeks time with an advantage of two away goals courtesy of ever improving Harrison Chisala and on loan striker, Festus Mbewe. Awasa got a lifeline goal goal for SONGO in the closing minutes of that encounter .
Nkana look most likely to progress and Simba who beat Mbabane Swallows 4-1 look favourite are set to be an epic encounter in the first round.
The second leg of the preliminary will take place between the 4th to 5th December with the first round slated for 14th to 15th doe the firat leg and 21-22nd for the second leg.
