NUMBA PLOTTING ANOTHER BIG RESULT
COTONSPORT VS ZANACO
Roumdé Adjia Stadium,
16:00hrs
Such are these sides’ strengths, Wednesday’s Caf Champions League Group D looks a classic attack v defence scenario. It will certainly be intriguing to see how both set about the task of overcoming the other but I’m wary about taking the generalisation too far. Cotonsport played well at Heroes Stadium even with that loss and it will be a different encounter
Let’s take ZANACO to start. Their defensive strength is reflected by the fact they’ve conceded just once in the group stage so far this season and they’ve yet to let one in on the road.
This is no particular surprise – their defensive foundations were a prime reason for team winning the league in Zambia last season and keeping Al Ahly out in Egypt , as they did, is to be applauded.
However, Al Ahly certainly had an off day in front of goal in that leg, while if you are seeking further evidence of Cotton Sport vulnerability at the back, you can look at the table and see the six goals already allowed by the Cameroon team.
Cottonsport are without a win in the last three games in this group and this is a life line for them, they lose this one they are out of contention but should they win it, they throw themselves with a chance on three points.
Zanaco need a win to have a real chance of making it to the next stage and with the win of Wydad Casablanca yesterday at home against Al Ahly, makes the group more tight and pressure mounts on Zanaco and Al Ahly. Wydad are back in contention and the winner of the Zesco encounter against Cotton Sport will throw another dimension to the way clubs will stand.
While 0-0 would be a good result for Zanaco, it’s hard to see them changing their natural attacking game in this one. It could also be suicide because for all Zanaco’s defensive prowess, the Cameroon club also have challenges going forward. They have only scored one goal and that will be something driving them to go forward.
I’m firmly of the view that Cotton Sport will score but Zanaco will also score for the first time away in the group stage – it should be remembered that this is a Cotton sport side which has shipped six already.
Given I’m also of the opinion that an attack as talented as Zanaco’s can create chances against the home’ defence, it’s both teams to score but the winner looks likely to be the home team.
Zanaco know what is at stake and they are capable of getting something its not far-fetched as some may tell you.
Prediction: Cotton Sport 2-1 Zanaco
Photo courtesy of Zanaco FB page
