Zesco United begin the post-Mumamba era following Saturday’s African exit with a domestic date against Napsa Stars away in Lusaka on Wednesday.
Numba was fired 24 hours after Zesco were eliminated from the CAF Confederation Cup by Royal AM following a 1-1 home draw to bow out. They lost by the same aggregate scoreline on the away goals rule.
FAILED TO QUALIFY
It was the second successive time that Zesco under Numba had failed to qualify for the continental group stages.
Zesco had made five straight league phase appearances under two of Numba’s predecessors.
Long-serving assistant coach Alfred Lupiya will be in interim charge on Wednesday against Napsa at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.
Lupiya wasn’t on the bench over the weekend after just returning from the 2022 COSAFA Under 20 Cup in Eswatini. He was assistant coach for the triumphant Zambia junior side.
His task is obvious, to start on a good note. He has to halt the nine-time Zambian champions’ four-match winless run in all competitions in which they have scored just one goal.
But Napsa coach Perry Mutapa is wary of the ailing giant.
“It is going to be difficult for both teams more especially for us if we are going to buy that the past two days there has been confusion they have been booted out of the CAF competition. Actually, that is when they are more dangerous, “Mutapa said.
MORE DANGEROUS
“We know what to expect because, I believe they are going to push themselves so that they can do well so it will not be easy but as Napsa we are preparing this game to win, but they are more dangerous when such things happen.”
Interestingly, nothing much separates these two sides on the log who sit Napsa and Zesco are 12th and 13th respectively and tied on 9 points.
Meanwhile, Zesco will be without Enock Sakala while Napsa will miss Jimmy Mukeya.
They are both away on Zambia U23 duty to play a 2023 U23 AFCON first round, first leg qualifier against Sierra Leone this Saturday in Monrovia, Liberia.
But the match will mark midfielder Augustine Mulenga’s second match for his new club after making his debut as a substitute in last Saturday’s 0-0 away draw at Lumwana Radiant.
