. Lwandamina

From SAMUEL LUKHANDA in Bamako, Mali –
GEORGE ‘Chicken’ Lwandamina has hailed Zesco United’s resilience after recovering from a goal down to beat Stade Malien 3-1 in the CAF 2016 Champions League second round first leg played on Saturday night.
A brace from striker Idris Mbombo secured an important away win for the Zambian champions ahead of the return leg set for April 19 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
The Mali outfit opened the scoring after 18 minutes through Diallo Moussa, but Zesco hit back through Mwape Mwelwa at the stroke of half time before Mbombo scored a brace in the 75th and 85th minutes to put one leg in the group stages.
Lwandamina has, however, called on the team not to become complacent ahead of the return leg.
“The team showed that we have great attitude and resilience after coming from a goal down, and if we continue like that, then we have a great team.
“The score-line of 3-1 can be dangerous as it can bring complacency but we will handle the psychological part so that we finish off the job and reach the lucrative group stage,” Lwandamina said.
He said the hostile Guinea outing taught his players to be ready for any eventuality and fight to the bitter end.
On the injury sustained by striker Jesse Jackson Were, Lwandamina said it was early
days to determine how long he will be but that the doctor will assess him.
Were was substituted after a clash of heads with a Malien defender and suffered a concussion.
The Malien faithful who thronged the Modibo Keita Stadium were left crashed after watching the manner in which their side tumbled having taken the lead and will hope for a miracle in the return leg.
Zesco will need to avoid a 3-0 defeat to qualify for the group stages where they last played in 2009.