Zanaco head to Cairo to face Al Merreikh

by Staff Reporter

Thursday Oct 14, 2021. 10:00

Coach Kelvin Kaindu is looking forward to seeing how Zanaco’s unbeaten start in the 2021/2022 CAF Champions League will be tested by seasoned continental campaigners Al Merreikh of Sudan.

The Zambian club visits their Sudanese opponents in Cairo on October 16 in a pre-group stage, first leg match.

Sudanese match venues have been banned from hosting international matches after their stadiums failed the benchmarks to stage CAF sanctioned games.

Kaindu described playing the 2007 CAF Confederation Cup runners-up the first leg in Cairo as an advantage

“We progressed after beating our opponents home and away and we are hoping to also replicate the same performance in the second round although we all know that Al Merreikh is a formidable club,” Kaindu said.

“They have been consistent in the Champions League, they have been in the group stage so many times and we know what they are capable of doing.”

Zanaco beat Akonangui of Equatorial Guinea 2-0 away in 1-0 at home in September to advance to the pre-group stage.

Al Merreikh on the other hand eliminated Express of Uganda on away goals rule after a 2-2 aggregate result following a 1-0 final leg win at home.

Meanwhile, all of Zanaco’s four Chipolopolo call-ups are in the 20-member team heading to Egypt on Wednesday.

They include goalkeeper Lameck Siame, defender Isaac Shamujompa, midfielder Kelvin Kapumbu and striker Moses Phiri.

The final leg is set for October 23 that will see the winner over both legs qualify for next February’s group stage while the loser will be relegated to November’s third round of the CAF Confederation Cup.

TEAM

GOALKEEPERS: Racha Kola, Lameck Siame, Charles Lawu

DEFENDERS: Kevin Owusu,Joel Kapend, John Mwewa, Ziyo Tembo, Taonga Bwembya, Peter Kalota ,ISAAC shamunjompa

MIDFIELDERS: Boyd Musonda, Abraham Siankombo, Kelvin Kapumbu, Ernest Mbewe, John Sikaumbwe, Ackim Mumba

STRIKERS: Baba Basile, Emmanuel Manda, Evans Katema, Moses Phiri