By FELIX MALUNGA –

ZAMBIA’S 2015 CAF Champions League envoys, Zesco United begin their preparations for the continental challenge in earnest with a trip to the Outward Bound in Mbala before heading to South Africa for a series of friendly matches.

Zesco, who claimed a double winning the MTN Premier League and Barclays Cup titles, will go to Mbala on January 5 where the players will undergo a life and survival skills training for a week.

. Chengo

“Zesco will start pre-season preparations for the Champions League and local league on January 5 with a trip to the Outward Bound in Mbala. In Mbala, the players will be taught life and survival skills for a week. This is where football meets life,” club public relations officer, Katebe Chengo said.

Chengo said after a week-long retreat in Mbala, Zesco would head to South Africa on January 15 for a series of friendly matches against top Absa Premier Soccer League teams.

She said Zesco would face Kennedy Mweene’s Mamelodi Sundowns before clashing with Ajax Cape Town where another Zambian player, Clifford Mulenga stars.

After the training programme in South Africa, George Lwandamina’s Zesco will feature in an annual Four-Club international tournament in DR Congo.

Zesco will face Congolese champions, TP Mazembe, Sundowns and another Congo side, Don Bosco.

The Zambian champions have been busy on the transfer market to boost the squad’s depth ahead of the continental push.

Zesco has so far acquired the services of Kabwe Warriors striker, Humphrey Maseneko, Konkola Blades midfielder, Misheck Chaila and striker Jonas Sakuwaha from Mazembe.