ZESCO United head coach Mwenya Chipepo has challenged his players to improve their finishing as they prepare to face unbeaten Green Buffaloes in a crucial MTN Super League Transitional Season encounter at 15:00 today.
The Ndola-based side head into Thursday’s Matchday Seven fixture seeking a return to winning ways after being held to a goalless draw by Nkwazi in their previous outing, leaving them with nine points from seven matches.
Chipepo believes his team has been performing well but admits that a lack of cutting edge in front of goal has cost them valuable points. He says the technical bench has placed particular emphasis on improving their attacking efficiency ahead of the encounter.
“Obviously, there is nothing we are looking for apart from getting maximum points, which is three points. Last time we played against Nkwazi, we picked one point away from home, which was good. But in this transitional league, you cannot keep picking one point or losing. We need three points,” Chipepo said.
“We are playing well, but if you look at the chances we have missed, you will understand. So we have worked on it, and hopefully, we have to make sure that at least we score many goals tomorrow.”
Thursday’s meeting presents ZESCO with an opportunity to strengthen their position in the race for a top-two finish in the first round of the transitional campaign.
Chipepo acknowledged the competitiveness of the league but expressed confidence in his squad’s preparations, praising the players for their response to the technical bench’s training programme.
“Our dream is to make sure that at least we finish in the top two in the first round. What we even need at the moment is to make sure that we finish on top. We know it is very difficult here, and this league is tough, but we have prepared our team so well.
“The guys are responding to our training very well, so we are confident and ready for the game tomorrow,” he added.
However, ZESCO face a stern examination against a Green Buffaloes side that has made an impressive start to the campaign and remains unbeaten after three wins and two draws in five matches.
The Army-sponsored outfit head into the contest on the back of a 1-0 victory over Mufulira Wanderers and occupy second place in Stream B with 11 points, two ahead of ZESCO, who have played two more matches.
The historical record between the sides adds another dimension to the encounter. Their last 10 meetings have produced five victories for ZESCO, three for Green Buffaloes and two draws.
With Buffaloes looking to preserve their unbeaten record and ZESCO eager to close the gap at the top, Thursday’s encounter promises to be a significant test of both sides’ ambitions.
