ZESCO United F.C. explained

Clubname:ZESCO United
Upright:0.7
Fullname:ZESCO United Football Club
Nickname:Zega Mambo, Team Ya Ziko
Short Name:Zesco
Ground:Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, Ndola
Capacity:49,800
Owner:ZESCO
Chairman:Richard Mulenga
Manager:George Lwandamina
League:Zambia Super League
Season:2023–24
Position:2nd
Website:http://www.zescounitedfc.co.zm/
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Stadium:Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, Ndola

ZESCO United Football Club (simply often known as ZESCO) is a Zambian professional football club based in Ndola, that competes in the Zambia Super League. Founded in 1974, the team plays its home matches at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.

The club is wholly owned and sponsored by the state owned electricity supplier ZESCO.[1]

History and records

ZESCO United was founded in 1974. They became the first Zambian club to qualify for the CAF African Champions League group stage in 2009. ZESCO United are one of only 3 Zambian clubs including Nkana and Green Buffaloes who hold an all time unbeaten home record against non Zambian opposition. ZESCO United also became the first Zambian Club this century to play against European opposition when they played against Zenit Saint Petersburg in Abu Dhabi in 2008.

They reached their first ever semi finals of the CAF African Champions League after a 2–2 draw away to Egyptian league champions Al Ahly in Matchday 5 of the Champions' League quarter final group stage.[2]

They extended their all time unbeaten home record against non Zambian teams to 26 games on Saturday, 17 September 2016, after a 2–1 home win against South African league champions Mamelodi Sundowns in the CAF African Champions League.[3]

The club also created history by being the first Zambian club to sign Asian players, with Kosuke Nakamachi from Japan.

Achievements

9

2007, 2008, 2010, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021

Runner up : 2005, 2009, 2013, 2016, 2022, 2023

1

2006

Finalist : 2007

5

2007, 2011, 2015, 2017, 2021

6

2007, 2008, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2019

Finalist : 2021

1

2007

2

1980, 2003

Performance in CAF competitions

9 appearances

2008 – last 32

2009 – group stage (top 8)

2011 – last 16

2015 – last 32

2016 – semi-finals

2018 – group stage (top 16)

2019 – first round

2020 – group stage (top 16)

2022 – preliminary round

6 appearances

2006 – first round

2010 – first round

2013 – last 16

2014 – second round

2017 – quarter-finals

2019 – group stage (top 16)

Players

Current squad

As of 3 May 2021.

Former players

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Zesco Utd embrace big bus theory . Lusaka Times . 2013-05-27 . 2013-11-17.
  2. News: Africa: Success Story Coming From Zambian Club Zesco Utd in African Club Championship.
  3. News: Puncherello Chama gives his analysis of Zesco's win over Sundowns in the African Champions League semi-final 1st leg.
  4. Web site: A Malayan tiger in Zambia: 'My name is Marcel Kalonda, and I am Malaysian'. 15 June 2020 . footballpink.net.
  5. Web site: FAM ends Marcel Kalonda links after documentation snag. goal.com.