Zambia envoys upbeat on progressing to first round

Zambia's representatives in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League have expressed confidence of progressing to the first round of the competition, the Zambia Daily Mail reported on Tuesday.

Zesco United were held to a 1-1 draw by Mbabane Swallows of Swaziland in the first leg preliminary game played on Sunday at Somhlolo National Stadium in Mbabane.

But George Lwandamina, the head coach of the Zambian champions, said his team will emerge victorious during the return leg to be played on February 28 in Zambia's Ndola city on the Copperbelt Province.

"Swallows will be punished when they visit Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola. No doubt we will qualify to the first round," he was quoted as saying by the paper.

The trainer said the technical bench will work on the flaws identified in the first leg but also expressed concern over the poor officiating during the match.

According to him, Lesotho referee Sentso Mohau aided the Swaziland champion's equalizer, adding that poor officiating was killing African football.

Swallows striker Felix Badenhorst's header hit the crossbar and rolled into play and was cleared but the Lesotho referee blew for a goal.

A 1-1 draw in the return leg will see the Zambian champions progressing to the next round to face either Guinea's AS Kaloum or Sewe Sport of Ivory Coast. Endite