• ZESCO United coach, George Lwandamina (25) chats with injured defender, Zimiseleni Moyo (left) as other players get final instructions after yesterday’s afternoon training session at Trade Fair ground in Ndola.

By FELIX MALUNGA
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NEWLY-APPOINTED Zesco United coach, George Lwandamina yesterday unveiled his 18-man crack squad for Sunday’s crucial CAF Confederation Cup first round, first leg against Ferroviario da Beira of Mozambique.
Lwandamina decided to blend experience with young talent on his first assignment since taking up the Zesco top job last week.
The Zesco squad that leaves for Mozambique in the early hours of tomorrow includes Chipolopolo midfielders, Kondwani Mtonga and Justin Zulu.
Former international goalkeeper, Jacob Banda, striker Jackson Mwanza, defender Charles Siyingwa and veteran striker, Winston Kalengo have also made the squad.
However, there was no room for experienced midfielder Maybin Mwaba and striker John Ching’andu in the team.
Zimbabwean left back, Zimiseleni Moyo and striker, Alfred Luputa have been ruled out by injury.
And Lwandamina described the team ready for the Ferroviario challenge and was optimistic of a positive result in Beira.
He said in an interview in Ndola yesterday that the team had potential to perform at the high level and believes the players would rise to the challenge.
Lwandamina said the players in the team were a blend of experience and young talent with a lot of potential.
He appealed to the Zambian football fraternity to pray for the team as it embarks on a continental tour of duty because it was the nation’s pride at stake.
“There is potential in this team. It’s just been a mindset issue. People just need to adjust and I am sure they (players) will rise to the occasion,” Lwandamina said of the team which had a poor pre-season build-up.
About the challenge posed by Ferroviario, Lwandamina said he would view a video of the Mozambican team’s match against Azam of Tanzania in the preliminary round of the competition.
After Sunday’s match, Zesco will host the Mozambicans at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola next weekend.
Zesco squad has goalkeepers Jacob Banda and Lameck Nyangu.
Defenders: Gift Sakuwaha, Bornwell Silengo, Charles Siyingwa, Kelly Sichilya, Bernard Mapili, Dauti Musekwa.
Midfielders: Simon Silwimba, Mwelwa Mwape, Mathews Nkowani, Cletus Chota, Justin Zulu, Kondwani Mtonga;
Strikers: Jackson Mwanza, Chileshe Kangwa, Lazarous Kambole, Winston Kalengo.