ZESCO United head coach Mathews Ndhlovu has urged his side to bounce back quickly after their 1–0 defeat to Egyptian giants Zamalek in Sunday’s CAF Confederation Cup Group D clash at Cairo International Stadium.
The Ndola-based side now turns its focus to a crucial home fixture against Al Masry FC on Friday, where they aim to pick up their first points of the group stage.
Reflecting on the loss, Ndhlovu emphasized that the group stage leaves little room to dwell on setbacks.
“It is a tournament… it is a group stage,” he said. “The Zamalek game is gone. Now we focus on our next assignment. We prepare for them as they come at home, and we will make sure we pick up some points because it’s all about collecting points in the group stage.”
Playing Egyptian clubs an advantage- Ndhlovu
The coach noted that facing two Egyptian teams could provide ZESCO with valuable insights to improve.
“I said it is an advantage to have two teams from Egypt. It gives us insight to see how we progress.”
Acknowledging the challenge of playing in Cairo, he said the atmosphere may have affected some players.
“Sometimes it is game fever… self-confidence. Some of my boys might not have played under a crowd like that…. But they are building their confidence, and we as coaches need to work on that,” he said.
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