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But How Prepared are The CAF Envoys?
The 2018 MTN FAZ super league practically came to an end at the weekend following the confirmation of the CAF representatives. Though the remaining 12 fixtures will have to be fulfilled and will give the final position of the teams below the 6th position.
Zambian super league has four CAF slots of representatives with two playing in the champions league and confederations cup respectively.
Therefore, Zesco United and Nkana football club will represent Zambia in the champions, while Green Buffaloes and Green Eagles in the confederations cup.
But how strong and prepared are these four teams?
Zesco United Football Club:
The 2018 league champions. Zesco United have stamped their mark as the champions league force by their performances in the last two CAF season when they qualified to the last group stage of the champions league.
However, this year`s performance was not so convincing as they did not do very well compared to last year.
Zesco`s squad does not look strong as a lot of player are running out of pace and steam. Players like veteran Kondwani Mtonga, Misheck Chaila, Mwape Mwelwa and Winston Kalengo do not seem to have years to play.
Worse for Kalengo who is even nowhere to be seen on the scorers list until you grill down to the single score.
The George Lwandamina tutored side for sure needs reinforcement if they stand a chance of winning the CAF champions league which Zambian need and yearns for so greatly.
Nkana Football Club:
The 2018 runners up have had a mixed up league because of the quality of some players they have currently.
The first half of the incredible MTN FAZ super league was worse for the club until they reinforced the squad in the second half by signing a number of players in the likes of Kelvin Mubanga Kampamba, Allan Chibwe from Power Dynamos, Muhamad Musa from Kenya and the Tanzanian right back defender.
Nkana ran unbeaten for 18 matches. But surely when it comes to champions its another ball game all together.
Throughout the 2018 season, Nkana struggled with a holding midfielder. This was too evident when they faced teams with well structured midfields. In most cases, nkana failed to beat those teams.
Check Here All of 2018 Nkana Results
With the most sharp and lethal striking force in the league in Walter Binene Bwalya Sabo, Idris Ilunga Mbombo, Festus Mbewe, Ronald Kampamba, Kelvin kampamba and Shadreck Musonda, nkana still require most stable and very skillful holding central midfielders to balance the squad if they are to stand a chance and compete in the champions league of 2019.
Aside NKANA faces local rivals Power Dynamos in the Barclays cup on the 20th October in Lusaka after dumping out Zesco united.
Green Buffaloes Football Club:
The team that has disappointed the Zambians for years every time they qualify for continental football is no other than the Army side.
Green Buffaloes have relatively aged players and the squad can not pose a strong challenge in the
continent unless they look for enforcing the team with quality players.
They cant afford to rely on Diamond Chikwekwe, Katiba, Jack Chirwa and experienced Felix Katongo.
These are not players that can compete week in week out. Additionally It seems the team has no depth and the options are not there to speak about.
Green Eagles Football Club:
For sure they have surprised everyone with the way they performed in the 2018 season. Green Eagles posed a challenge to teams like Zesco, Nkana, Zanaco, Green Buffaloes, Power Dynamos who they beat at some point at their home ground in Choma.
Aggrey chiyangi has proved to be one of the great coaches in Zambia by the way he has transformed the Choma outfit. And yet during his stay at Nkana was marred with severe fan complaints leading to his exit.
But how would they fare in the continental championship is the question everybody may ask looking at the inexperienced side they have.
Continental football has a different atmosphere and well grilled players are required to beef up the
team which Aggrey Chiyangi may be thinking about now.
CAF Envoys Muscle
With little time the four Zambian representatives have to register their squads, swift and careful response is needed. The Zambian teams can also plan and take into consideration the CAF transition period. This can be to exploit any advantages that may present themselves.
Green Eagles and Green Buffaloes will have to use national heroes stadium for their home games. Both teams do not qualify for CAF club license which requires to use the traditional home stadia.
Zesco and Nkana are well covered with their home grounds Levy Mwanawasa and Ichilata
