Zesco Not Intimidated By CAFCL Opponents

Zambia national team
coach George Lwandamina is  insisting that  Zesco United does not feel threatened by any team in the CAF Champions League.
Speaking to The Post of Zambi Tidesports source, the Chipolopolo mentor said it’s a good challenge for the Zambian Premier League side to meet the continent’s big guns in the CAFCL this season.
Zesco will face the likes of Nigeria’s Enyimba, Egypt’s Al Ahly, ES Setif (Algeria), Zamalek (Egypt), AS Vita (DR Congo), Wydad (Morocco) and Cote d’Ivoire’s ASEC Mimosas in the group stages of this years competition.
The Zambian side is the only team among the eight that has never won the title with Egyptian side Al Ahly being the most successful team with eight titles, followed by rivals Zamalek who have five titles to their name.
“It’s a good challenge to go as underdogs, even them (the other seven teams) were underdogs at some point, they also attempted to win just like we are and eventually won it,” said Lwandamina.
“They are just teams like Zesco and they will not pose a threat to us.”
Echoing the coach’s sentiments is the club’s general secretary Justin Mumba – urging the players to beat their showing in 2009 CAF Champions League where they finished third in the group.
“Those teams that have won the title first had to qualify before winning…we are going through a phase that they too went through before winning,” added Mumba.
“We will work within our own record, to beat our record of 2009 where we finished third.
“On paper, the teams look stronger but they are beatable, we have players that are fighting the hunger for glory and a coach who is experienced.”
CAF will conduct the group stage draw on May 24 with the eight teams set to be drawn into two groups of four.