Zanaco football club’s head coach, Wedson Nyirenda, has warned his team not to underestimate newly promoted Athletico Lusaka ahead of their MTN Super League midweek match today.

Zanaco will face Athletico in a week three match at Sunset Stadium.

The Bankers are coming off a draw against Forest Rangers and will be hoping to win again after starting the 2024/25 season with a 2-0 victory over Indeni FC.

Zanaco is currently sixth in the league table, with four points from two matches, and a win today would propel them past Nchanga Rangers at the top.

Underrating Atletico could cause a disaster

Speaking to the club’s media ahead of the game, Nyirenda advised his players not to underestimate the young Atletico team.

“As I always say, there is no easy game; we are playing a team that is so tricky; it has a lot of young players and players who have a larger room to improve and become big in football. It is a team that is coming from the lower ranks; they have been together for a long time,” Nyirenda said.

He continued: “It will not be a pushover team; we have seen them play; they are very organized in terms of their game tactics. I think if we go into this game underrating them, then it will be a disaster for us, but we have prepared well. We are coming from a draw against Forest Rangers; the players know what’s at stake and I think they are ready.”

“It’s not going to be easy; we are playing a very determined side. We have a very big resolve here that we must collect the three points; it’s non-negotiable,” added Nyirenda.

Atletico are chasing their first-ever win in the MTN Super League after losing their opener, 3-1 to Forest Rangers and drawing Napsa Stars 1-1 last weekend.

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