CAFCC: ZESCO United has character to beat Chiefs—Mutafu

ZESCO United Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Kelvin Mutafu, has explained why he thinks his Zambian team can overcome Kaizer Chiefs on Sunday.

He said this as the MTN Super League prepared to host the Betway Premiership club from South Africa in the CAF Confederation Cup group-stage match at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.

In an interview with Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation’s Kwacha Good Morning programme, Mutafu said ZESCO United have always had an upper hand over Chiefs in such CAF inter club competitions in recent years.

“Kaizer Chiefs, I think, has been a customer of ZESCO. We can do a double, because what we need to do is win them home and away so that we are back in the race,” he said, as quoted by Bola News.

The CEO cited results of the meetings between ZESCO United and Chiefs in the playoff round of the 2018/19 CAF Confederations Cup. The MTN Super League side beat AmaKhosi 3-1 in Ndola. The reverse fixture played in Johannesburg ended 2-1 in favour of the hosts. However, the Zambians proceeded to the next stage via post-match penalties.

Why Kaizer Chiefs are ‘bitter’

“They are very bitter. ZESCO has the character to turn the tables against Kaizer Chiefs. So, I’m just appealing to the fans to come in numbers,” Mutafu added.

Both teams are gunning for a first win in the group to put their campaigns back on track. Kick-off is at 15:00 hours Southern African Time.

The ABSA Cup champions anchor group D of the Confederation Cup without a point after losing 1-0 to leaders Zamalek and 3-2 to Al Masry, both opponents from Egypt.

AmaKhosi will host the Zambians in the reverse fixture of the Confederation Cup on Sunday, February 1 at Moses Mabhida Stadium. This will be followed by yet another home match against Al Masry at New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday, February 8.

The group stage concludes with a trip to Egypt to face Zamalek SC on February 15.

The Glamour Boys began with a narrow 2-1 loss to Al Masry in Egypt, followed by a 1-1 draw against Zamalek.