Zanaco on mission to finish off Enyimba
By Sports Reporter
ZAMBIA’S envoys in the 2010 Orange African Confederation Cup, Zanaco yesterday left for Nigeria to face Enyimba in a return leg knockout stage with coach Wedson Nyirenda aiming for a victory and qualify for the group stage.
Despite carrying a healthy 4-0 advantage, Nyirenda said his team had put the victory behind them and were taking Sunday’s match as a different ball game.
Prior to departure at the Lusaka International Airport, Nyirenda said Zanaco’s aim was to qualify for the group stages and that could only be achieved by gunning for victory against the former African champions because underrating them could prove costly.
The coach said while chances of making it to the group stages were brightened following the home win, it would be wrong to go into the match still reminiscing about the victory but treat it as if it was a final.
He said the players had been psychologically prepared to face any hostilities which they could encounter as the West African teams were well renowned for intimidating opponents before a crucial match.
Nyirenda expressed confidence that the team has what it takes to score more goals away in Nigeria saying it would be suicidal for the team to concentrate on defending as that would give their opponents the chances to attack and probably score.
“We are going to Nigeria aiming for a victory and we shall not in any way be complacent simply because we beat them at home. We are going to Enyimba having erased the 4-0 win and starting afresh and achieve our aim of qualifying for the group stages,” Nyirenda said.
He said the team had prepared adequately and seal any loopholes observed from the first encounter to ensure that Enyimba does not find any space to gain possession and control the game.
He said striker Makundika Sakala and defender Kennedy Nketani who missed the first leg has travelled with the team and would undergo fitness tests before the match and expressed optimism that the duo would pull through.
Team comprises goalkeepers, Joshua Titima and Racha Kola.
Defenders: Eugene Shamakamba, Maybin Mwelwa, Charles Singwa, Kennedy Nketani, George Chilufya and Thomas Nyirenda
Midfielders: Sydney Kalume,Trinity Chalanshi, Simon Silwimba, Henry Banda, Ignitius Lwipa and Venecious Mapande.
Strikers: Winston Kalengo, Makundika Sakala, Allan Mukuka and Mathews Macha.
