Sun, 18 Jun 2017 16:57:50 +0000
By GRACE CHAILE LESOETSA
ZESCO United coach Zlatko Krmpotic says his team will finish off Angolan giants Recreativo Do Libolo when the two sides clash on Tuesday.
Speaking in an interview at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport before departure for Luanda yesterday, Krmpotic said he had great respect for Libolo, and therefore Zesco was expecting a tough game.
He said Zesco had to record victory in the two remaining games in Group C to seal their place in the CAF Confederation quarter-finals.
“It is definitely not going to be an easy match. We beat them in Ndola so they will try to revenge. But my target is to win the Tuesday game, I must win,” he said.
Asked on whether the absence of injured Jesse Were and suspended Anthony Akumu and Kondwani Mtonga will affect Zesco’s performance, Krmpotic said he will not cry over the three players but strategize on winning the game.
“We are not going to talk about the three players but focus ahead. The team did not play well against Libolo in the first leg and we have to perform better,” he said.
Team captain Jacob Banda said Zesco is determined to win the game in Angola.
Banda confessed that the team struggled to beat Libolo in their previous meeting.
“We expect a tough game, Libolo is a strong side. Yes we had difficulties to overcome them in the previous game but that is in the past. The team is aiming for a win,” he said.
Zesco beat Libolo 1-0 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on June 4.
With three points, the Angolan team occupy the last position of the group, led by Zesco with six points, followed by Al Hilal Elobeid of Sudan and Egypt’s Smouha, both with four points.
Meanwhile, Zanaco was scheduled to leave for Cameroon this morning at 02:00 hours for their CAF Champions League tie against Coton Sport on Wednesday.
Zanaco beat the Cameroonians 2-1 in Lusaka on June 3, the Bankers lie on second position on joint seven points with leaders Al Ahly. Wydad Casablanca of Morocco have three points while Coton Sport have nothing.
