. Lwandamina

By FELIX MALUNGA –
ZESCO United yesterday kicked off their pre-season preparations for the CAF Champions League campaign by setting up camp in Mongu.
The 2014 double champions will begin their preparations with physical and mental conditioning programmes before returning to Ndola on January 12.
Coach George Lwandamina and his technical bench led the Zesco squad to Mongu to kick off the preparations for this year’s campaign.
Zesco will this year be challenging for the CAF Champions League which begins next month and also be seeking to defend both the MTN Premier Division League and Barclays Cup titles.
Lwandamina’s men will upon return from Mongu head to South Africa where they will step up their preparations with a friendly match against that country’s champions, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Zesco also hopes to organise another friendly in South Africa.
DR Congo giants has also invited Zesco for a four-club international tournament in Lubumbashi from January 28 to February 4.
Lwandamina’s will begin the CAF Champions League programme with a trip to Swaziland to face Mbabane Swallows in the preliminary round on February 14.
Zesco has since included Kenya international defender, David Odhiambo and two Nigerian players in its star-studded 27-man squad for the prestigous club continental competition.
The four-time league champions acquired the services 26-year-old Odhiambo from Gor Mahia, who was Kenya’s best defender in 2013 and Nigerian duo of former South Africa’s University of Pretoria left back, Ayo Ouluwafemi and Bayelsa United striker, Christopher Chigozie.
Lwandamina will also have Chipolopolo midfielder-cum-defender, Kondwani Mtonga back from a six-month loan at North East Club in India and striker Jonas Sakuwaha from DR Congo giants, TP Mazembe back in the fold for Africa’s elite club tournament.
Sakuwaha will boost the Zesco frontline which also has 2014 Golden Boot winner, Jackson Mwanza, Winston Kalengo and Tanzanian international, Juma Liuzio.
Zesco recalled midfielder, Innocent Mwaba from a two-year loan contract at Ferroviarro De Maputo in Mozambique and also opened talks with South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns to extend a loan deal for Togolese defender, Mathias Emmanuel.
The Ndola side also recruited midfielder, Misheck Chaila from Kabwe Warriors and Konkola Blades striker, Humphrey Maseneko and have been included in the CAF Champions League squad.