Zesco United are the first Zambian side to make it through to the group phase of the African Champions League.
Since the change in the competitions format in 1997, Zambian side have struggled but Zesco have finally provided the breakthrough. The club are now seeking to follow in the footsteps of neighbours Nkana Red Devils, who were runners-up in the old-style African Champions Cup.
Participation in the 2008 CAF Champions League is only the second time that the have competed in continental club competition. Zesco were also in the African Confederation cup in 2006 but knocked out in the first round.
The club is based in the northern city of Ndola and use the Trade Fair grounds as their home venue. But for the Champions League group matches they will be hosting their home matches at the Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe, the venues also for Zambias qualifiers in the 2010 World Cup campaign.
The club is backed by the Zambian electricity authority. The coach is former Zambia captain Fighton Simukonda, who is also had a spell in charge of the national team. But he only took on the job at the start of the year after the departure of Wedson Nyirenda, who took Zesco to back-to-back Zambian premier league titles in 2007 and 2008.
Lazarous Kambole of Zesco challenged by Daniel Cardoso of Kaizer Chiefs during the CAF Confederation Cup 2018/19 match between Kaizer Chiefs and Zesco at FNB Stadium, Johannesburg on 19 January 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Siphosakhe Ntiya Ntiya of Kaizer Chiefs challenged by Jesse Jackson Were of Zesco during the CAF Confederation Cup 2018/19 match between Kaizer Chiefs and Zesco at FNB Stadium, Johannesburg on 19 January 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Andriamirado Andrianarimanana of Kaizer Chiefs challenged by Mwila Phiri Jr of Zesco during the CAF Confederation Cup 2018/19 match between Kaizer Chiefs and Zesco at FNB Stadium, Johannesburg on 19 January 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Andriamirado Andrianarimanana of Kaizer Chiefs challenged by Mwila Phiri Jr of Zesco during the CAF Confederation Cup 2018/19 match between Kaizer Chiefs and Zesco at FNB Stadium, Johannesburg on 19 January 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Kabelo Mahlasela of Kaizer Chiefs challenged by Kondwani Mtonga of Zesco during the CAF Confederation Cup 2018/19 match between Kaizer Chiefs and Zesco at FNB Stadium, Johannesburg on 19 January 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Lebogang Manyama fights for the ball against Anthony Akumu of Zesco United during the CAF Confederations Cup 2018/19 game between Zesco United FC and Kaizer Chiefs at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium,Ndola,Zambia on 13 January 2019 © Sid Kalunga/BackpagePix
Kaizer Chiefs striker Khama Billiat tries to beat Simon Silwimba and Anthony Akumu of Zesco United during the CAF Confederations Cup 2018/19 game between Zesco United FC and Kaizer Chiefs at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium,Ndola,Zambia on 13 January 2019 © Sid Kalunga/BackpagePix
Simon Silwimba of Zesco United FC beats Khama Billiat of Kaizer Chiefs to the ball during the CAF Confederations Cup 2018/19 game between Zesco United FC and Kaizer Chiefs at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium,Ndola,Zambia on 13 January 2019 © Sid Kalunga/BackpagePix
Zesco United defender Clement Mwape in a sliding challenge against Hendrick Ekstein of Kaizer Chiefs during the CAF Confederations Cup 2018/19 game between Zesco United FC and Kaizer Chiefs at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium,Ndola,Zambia on 13 January 2019 © Sid Kalunga/BackpagePix
Zesco United FC defender shields the ball from Kaizer Chiefs striker Khama Billiat during the CAF Confederations Cup 2018/19 game between Zesco United FC and Kaizer Chiefs at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium,Ndola,Zambia on 13 January 2019 © Sid Kalunga/BackpagePix
Zesco United striker Winston Kalengo sandwitched between Sanele Justice and Njabulo Ndlovu of Mbabane Swallows during the 2018 CAF Champions League football match between Zesco United FC and Mbabane Swallows at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on 05 May 2018 ©BackpagePix
Zesco United FC striker Jesse Jackson Were in tussle against Sanele Justice Mkhweli of Mbabane Swallows during the 2018 CAF Champions League football match between Zesco United FC and Mbabane Swallows at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on 05 May 2018 ©BackpagePi
Zesco United FC striker Lazarous Kambole in a tussle for the ball against defender Stanley Umukoro while goalkeeper Sandile Lawrence Ginindza comes for the ball during the 2018 CAF Champions League football match between Zesco United FC and Mbabane Swallows at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on 05 May 2018 ©BackpagePix
Smouha player ahmoud Hussen )(L) in action against Zesco United player Lazarous Kambole (R) during the 2017 CAF Confederations Cup game between Smouha and Zesco United at Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria, Egypt on 30 June 2017 © BackpagePix
Smouha player Amr El Monoufy (CL in action against Zesco United player Fackson Kapumbu (R) during the 2017 CAF Confederations Cup game between Smouha and Zesco United at Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria, Egypt on 30 June 2017 © BackpagePix
Smouha player Amr El Monoufy (C) in action against Zesco United player Simon Silwimba (R) and Agey Anthony (L) during the 2017 CAF Confederations Cup game between Smouha and Zesco United at Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria, Egypt on 30 June 2017 © BackpagePix
Smouha player Islam Serry (R) in action against Zesco United player Bornwell Silengo (L) during the 2017 CAF Confederations Cup game between Smouha and Zesco United at Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria, Egypt on 30 June 2017 © BackpagePix
Smouha player Ahmed Homos (L) in action against Zesco United player Simon Silwimba (L) during the 2017 CAF Confederations Cup game between Smouha and Zesco United at Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria, Egypt on 30 June 2017 © BackpagePix
Smouha player Ahmed Raouf (R) in action against Zesco United player David Owino (L) during the 2017 CAF Confederations Cup game between Smouha and Zesco United at Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria, Egypt on 30 June 2017 © BackpagePix
Smouha player Yasser Ibrahim (C) in action against Zesco United player David Owino (L) and Kondwani Mtonga (R) during the 2017 CAF Confederations Cup game between Smouha and Zesco United at Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria, Egypt on 30 June 2017 © BackpagePix
Smouha player Ahmed Andelghani (R) in action against Zesco United player David Owino (L) during the 2017 CAF Confederations Cup game between Smouha and Zesco United at Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria, Egypt on 30 June 2017 © BackpagePix
Jackson Mwanza of Zesco challenged by Tiyani Mabunda of Mamelodi Sundowns during the 2016 CAF Champions League match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Zesco at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa on September 24, 2016 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Tiyani Mabunda of Mamelodi Sundowns challenged by John Chingandu of Zesco during the 2016 CAF Champions League match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Zesco at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa on September 24, 2016 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Percy Tau of Mamelodi Sundowns challenged by Misheck Chaila of Zesco during the 2016 CAF Champions League match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Zesco at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa on September 24, 2016 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Percy Tau of Mamelodi Sundowns challenged by Adama Ben Bahn of Zesco during the 2016 CAF Champions League match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Zesco at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa on September 24, 2016 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Keagan Dolly (c) of Mamelodi Sundowns challenged by Simon Silwimba (r) of Zesco during the 2016 CAF Champions League match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Zesco at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa on September 24, 2016 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Anthony Laffor of Mamelodi Sundowns celebrates his goal with his teammates during the 2016 CAF Champions League match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Zesco at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa on September 24, 2016 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Keagan Dolly of Mamelodi Sundowns dribbles past Misheck Chaila of Zesco United
Zesco United's Misheck Chaila and Adama Ben Bahn beaten to the ball by Keagan Dolly of Mamelodi Sundowns
Zesco United goalkeeper Jacob Banda, defender Adama Ben Bahn and Mwape Mwelwa celebrate after Zesco's second goal
Themba Zwane of Mamelodi Sundowns fights for the ball with Ayo Oluwafemi of Zesco United
Keagan Dolly of Mamelodi Sundowns dribbles past Misheck Chaila of Zesco United
Zesco's Jackson Jesse Were and Simon Silwimba celebrate
Siyanda Zwane of Mamelodi Sundowns shields the ball from Zesco United midfielder John Chin'gandu
Siyanda Zwane of Mamelodi Sundowns shakes hands with Mwape Mwelwa of Zesco United
epa05478849 Al Ahly's Sabri Raheel (L) in action against Zesco United's John Ching'andu (R) during the African Champions League (CAF) group stage match between Al Ahly and Zesco United at the military Stadium in Suez, Egypt, 12 August 2016. EPA/KHALED ELFIQI
epa05478572 Al Ahly's player Saad Samir (L) in action against Zesco United player John Ching'andu (R) during the African Champions League (CAF) grou stage match between Al Ahly and Zesco United at military Stadium in Suez, Egypt, 12 August 2016. EPA/KHALED ELFIQI
Al Ahly's Ali Maaloul (R) in action against Zesco United's John Ching'andu (L) during the African Champions League (CAF) group stage match between Al Ahly and Zesco United at the military Stadium in Suez, Egypt, 12 August 2016. EPA/KHALED ELFIQI
epa05478570 Al Ahly's player Saad Samir (L) in action against Zesco United player John Ching'andu (R) during the African Champions League (CAF) grou stage match between Al Ahly and Zesco United at military Stadium in Suez, Egypt, 12 August 2016. EPA/KHALED ELFIQI
epa05478149 Al Ahly's Ali Maaloul (R) in action against Zesco United's Simon Silwimba (L) during the African Champions League (CAF) group stage match between Al-Ahly and Zesco United in Suez, Egypt, 12 August 2016. EPA/KHALED ELFIQ
Al Ahly's player Ahmed Fathiy L) in action against Zesco United player Clatous Chama (R) during the African Champions League (CAF) grou stage match between Al Ahly and Zesco United at military Stadium in Suez, Egypt, 12 August 2016. EPA/KHALED ELFIQI
epa05478571 Al Ahly's player Saad Samir (L) in action against Zesco United player John Ching'andu (R) during the African Champions League (CAF) group stage match between Al Ahly and Zesco United at military Stadium in Suez, Egypt, 12 August 2016. EPA/KHALED ELFIQI
epa05478115 Al-Ahly's Abdallah Said (L) in action against Zesco United's Misheck Chaila (R) during the African Champions League (CAF) group stage match between Al-Ahly and Zesco United in Suez, Egypt, 12 August 2016. EPA/KHALED ELFIQI
epa05444021 Mimosa's Coulibaly Dala (L) vies for the ball with Zesco's Simon Silwimba ( R) during their CAF Champions League group stage match between Asec Mimosa vs Zesco's at Stade Robert Champroux in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, 27 July 2016. EPA/LEGNAN KOULA
epa05444022 Mimosa's Krahire Yannick Zakri (C) and Kasashi Lupiya (R) vies for the ball with Zesco's Simon Silwimba (L) during their CAF Champions League group stage match between Asec Mimosa vs Zesco's at Stade Robert Champroux in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, 27 July 2016. EPA/LEGNAN KOULA
epa05444026 Mimosa's Krahire Yannick Zakri (L) vies for the ball with Zesco's Jackson Mwanza (R) during their CAF Champions League group stage match between Asec Mimosa vs Zesco's at Stade Robert Champroux in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, 27 July 2016. EPA/LEGNAN KOULA
epa05444023 Mimosa's Krahire Yannick Zakri (R) vies for the ball with Zesco's Jackson Wannza (L) during their CAF Champions League group stage match between Asec Mimosa vs Zesco's at Stade Robert Champroux in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, 27 July 2016. EPA/LEGNAN KOULA
epa05444025 Mimosa's Akassou Arnaud Wilfried Koutouan (R) vies for the ball with Zesco's Simon Silwimba (L) during their CAF Champions League group stage match between Asec Mimosa vs Zesco's at Stade Robert Champroux in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, 27 July 2016. EPA/LEGNAN KOULA
epa05444024 Mimosa's Koffi Constant KouamÈ (R) vies for the ball with Zesco's Idris Mbombo (R) during their CAF Champions League group stage match between Asec Mimosa vs Zesco's at Stade Robert Champroux in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, 27 July 2016. EPA/LEGNAN KOULA
epa05443887 Mimosa's Coulibaly Dala ( L) vies for the ball with Zesco's Jackson Wannza ( R) during their CAF Champions League group stage match between Asec Mimosa vs Zesco's at Stade Robert Champroux in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, 27 July 2016. EPA/LEGNAN KOULA
epa05443885 Mimosa's Krahire Yannick Zakri (R) vies for the ball with Zesco's Lazarous Kambole (L) during their CAF Champions League group stage match between Asec Mimosa vs Zesco's at Stade Robert Champroux in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, 27 July 2016. EPA/LEGNAN KOULA
Adama Bahn of Zesco United during the CAF Champions League football match between Zesco and Asec Abidjan at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, Zambia on 16 July 2016 ©BackpagePix
Asec captain Krahire Yannick Zakri reacts disappointment after loss during the CAF Champions League football match between Zesco and Asec Abidjan at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, Zambia on 16 July 2016 ©BackpagePix
Jackson Mwanza of Zesco (r) controls ball from Akassou Arnaud Koutouan of Asec during the CAF Champions League football match between Zesco and Asec Abidjan at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, Zambia on 16 July 2016 ©BackpagePix
Idris Mombo of Zesco (below) celebrates goal with teammates during the CAF Champions League football match between Zesco and Asec Abidjan at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, Zambia on 16 July 2016 ©BackpagePix
Clatous Chama of Zesco (right)
Lazaraous Kambole of Zesco challenges Ramy Hisham Abdelaziz Rabia of Al Ahly during the CAF Champions League match between Zesco and Al Ahly on 18 June 2016 at St Peter's College Pic Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix
Lazaraous Kambole of Zesco challenges Ramy Hisham Abdelaziz Rabia of Al Ahly
Rami Rabia (L)
Ramadan Ahmed of Al Ahly is challenged by John Chingandu of Zesco during the CAF Champions League match between Zesco and Al Ahly on 18 June 2016 at St Peter's College Pic Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix
Ahmed Hegazi of Al Ahly is challenged by Jackson Mwanza of Zesco during the CAF Champions League match between Zesco and Al Ahly on 18 June 2016 at St Peter's College Pic Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix
Saleh Saleh of Al Ahly is challenged by Mtonga Kondwani of Zesco during the CAF Champions League match between Zesco and Al Ahly on 18 June 2016 at St Peter's College Pic Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix
Ahmed Hegazi of Al Ahly is challenged by Jackson Mwanza of Zesco during the CAF Champions League match between Zesco and Al Ahly on 18 June 2016 at St Peter's College Pic Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix