The absence of three first-team players for Zesco United’s Week 18 Super League game against NAPSA Stars in Ndola on Sunday, according to goalkeeper Ian Otieno, won’t have an impact on the team’s performance.
Zesco will be without captain Kelvin Kapumbu, their leading goal scorer Kelvin Kampamba, and goalkeeper Toaster Nsabata.
The trio who featured in Zesco United’s 1-1 draw with Mufulira Wanderers at Levy Mwanawasa stadium last week are in the Chipolopolo 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON) pre-tournament camp in Lusaka. They were selected by Avram Grant in the Chipolopolo final AfCON squad.
The nine-time champions are currently enjoying a seven-match unbeaten run, and Otieno expects the club to maintain the same momentum.
He said that even if the three players are crucial to the team, their performance won’t suffer since other players can fill in.
“I don’t think it will affect the team’s performance,” Otieno said. “Yes, they are significant players, but there are enough players on the team who can handle the job.”
Otieno is of the view that the absence of the players gives other players an opportunity to showcase their ability to fill in the gap.
“We are ready to face NAPSA”-Otieno.
The Kenyan goalie has been the Zega Mambo final line of defense’s go-to safe pair of hands, save from the last two weeks against Trident FC and Mufulira Wanderers.
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He states that Zesco United are ready for Sunday’s clash against NAPSA Stars, who drew 1-all against Power Dynamos. “We are ready; we have always been ready [to face Napsa].”
