Zesco finally kick off league hunt

Zesco United finally get down to the business, of challenging for the 2017 Faz Super League title on Wednesday.
The 2015 champions host promoted Konkola Blades, in a delayed Week 1 match at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Zesco’s opening day fixture was postponed due to the Ndola clubs’ 2017 Caf Confederation Cup pre-group stage engagements, against Enugu Rangers of Nigeria that they won 5-2 on aggregate.

Zesco head into the league opener unbeaten this year, from their opening six competitive matches in which they have garnered four wins and two draws.
Coach Zlatko Krmpotic, will also be making his league debut after starting the domestic campaign on a high, with victory in the 2017 Charity Shield final following a 2-0 win over Nkana on April 2.
However, Zesco will continue to be without striker Jackson Mwanza, midfielder Misheck Chaila and defender Simon Silwimba due to injuries and who all missed the Confederation Cup outing against Rangers.
But striker’s John Chingandu and Jesse Were, who have scored four competitive games each in Zesco’s last six matches will be hoping guide the club to a bright start in the league.
“We now focus on the league and must work in the same spirit,” Chingandu said and who has scored a set of braces for Zesco in both Africa, in the 2-0 home win over Rangers, and in the Charity Shield final against Nkana.
Interesting should Zesco beat Blades, the 2016 runners-up will be the first of the top four finishers from last season to win their Week 1 league fixture of the season.
Champions Zanaco, Nkana, and Power all began with draws but the latter is the only one of the trio to have also won in Week 2.
Staying on the issue of winning, Blades began their season with a victory last Saturday when they downed early leaders Green Buffaloes 1-0 at home in Chililabombwe.
Blades also have a fairly good away record at Zesco where they have lost five, drawn four and won three games since their hosts were promoted in 2004.
However, despite that run, Blades have lost all four of their last four meetings at home and away since beating Zesco 1-0 in Ndola in September, 2013.