Zesco, Rangers talk tough as Zambians arrive today

It is still about 72 hours to the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup tie in Enugu, but Zesco United of Zambia and Rangers of Nigeria cannot stop boasting. Both are bragging they will win the match slated for the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.

Zesco United are expected to arrive in Enugu today to get acquainted with the stadium and the Enugu weather ahead of the game, which will set the tempo for the second leg at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium next week.

The team, which lost their CAF Champions League semifinal to eventual champions, Mamelodi Sundowns, believe they are better equipped for this level of competition than Enugu Rangers.

Zesco’s administrative officer, Francis Chitambala is sure of the quality in his team and believes they have nothing to fear from the Nigerians.He told a local website, “We are expecting a big test… It is football as both teams have got equal chances going into the game, the other percentage higher or lower is achieved on the matchday depending on performance of either team.

“This team (Zesco United) perhaps in last season’s champions League was the only side that pushed Sundowns, the champions to the limits.“As a matter of fact, Pitso Mosimane (Sundowns Manager) personally told me that should his side go past Zesco United, they would emerge champions of Africa.”

To Enugu Rangers coach, Imama Amakapabo, Zesco cannot rely on their past glory.Although Rangers have been going through their worst patch of form in recent years, Amakapabo is still sure his team has what it takes to beat the Zambians handsomely on Sunday.

“It has not been easy for the entire team for some time now, but we have moved on after our last loss (against Enyimba),” Amakapabo said in an intyerview published by cafonline.com.

“The players are in good condition except the pressure on them from every angle, but I believe we will overcome it.“Zesco is a strong team from what I know about them, and they are also doing well in their own league, but hopefully, we will secure victory by a good number of goals to continue staying in the competition.” 

Ghana-born goalkeeper, Nana Bonsu, also believes Rangers will beat Zesco because “we have learnt our lessons from the Total CAF Champions League and we hope to correct it with this one opportunity left for us.”

According to Bonsu, “The players are ready and there is no turning back. We have do our best to prove our worth and justify the league title we won last season by beating Zesco United at home and away to qualify to the group stage.

“We need the support of our fans because I know Zesco united is coming here to pick a point but we won’t allow them. It is not a problem of the coach but we the players will play our best to stop them.”