Nkana takes on Egypt’s giants in CAF league

Zambian’s CAF Champions League envoys Nkana  FC will be looking to make home advantage count on Saturday when they  host former African champions  Zamalek in the first leg of the CAF  Champions League.

And Zamalek coach and former Egypt international striker Ahmed ‘Mido’ Hassan says his team is not expecting an easy tie against the Zambian Champions.

Nkana will host Zamalek in a last 16,  first leg tie on March 22 at Nkana  Stadium in Kitwe.

After drawing 2-2 with Uganda’s KCCA FC in Kitwe last month, Nkana  have vowed to make home  advantage count.

“We have worked  hard and must come all out to win  the game,” said coach Masauso Mwale.

Despite drawing 0-0 away to newly promoted Choma Eagles last  weekend, the coach thinks they are  playing well and creating several  chances.

Midfielder Bruce Musakanya is likely  to finally make his continental  debut since joining Nkana in  January from Red Arrows. He has  been sidelined due to fitness  problems after a two-month injury  layoff that saw him miss the  CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup in  Kenya.

Midfielders Shadreck Musonda and  Frank Chibuye, who missed the  KCCA trip due to injury should also  be fit for the game.

Egyptian legend Mido said he knew very  little about the current Nkana side  as they head into their sixth  encounter in 31 years with their  Zambian arch-rivals.

“Off course it is a very big game,  Nkana has a great history, last time  we played them in 2002, we drew  1-1 and won at home, hopefully we can play a good game and get a good result,” Mido said upon arrival at Ndola  Airport on Wednesday.

“We have very little information about the current Nkana team, but I  watched a few clips from their last  game, hopefully with the embassy here we get see enough.”

Zamalek have never beaten Nkana  away but enjoy a 100 per cent  success rate over their Zambian  opponents over two legs.