5 players Zesco United should sign during the Christmas pre-season

The Zambian Super League and CAF African Champions League of 2017 promise to be exciting as most clubs are going to strengthen their teams with superb players, thanks to the influx of cash due to TV deals.

In the ever-going race of getting better than your opponent, each outfit must buy in order to maintain their aspirations for the season. Zesco United endured a dismal 2nd leg performance in the CAF African Champions League semi-final away to Mamelodi Sundowns, and the team will be better judged by where they finish domestically.

They managed to sign Jesse Were, Anthony Akumu, and Ben Adama Banh, and Idriss Mbombo in the last pre-season. However, some more additions are required before they can properly challenge for the CAF African Champions League title, and emerge as clear favorites and genuine contenders.

They are still a little weak in some zones, and are perhaps a few South American players away from winning the CAF African Champions League.

Here are 5 players they could acquire if they want to be title challengers again.

#1 Mangani Banda

The under-20 Zambian goalkeeper is a lot better than both Lameck Nyangu and Brown Nyrienda. As age catches up with Jacob Banda and his form and magic begins to fade slowly, Zesco United would want to add the goalkeeping department. And what better man to replace him at the club than the one who has been trusted to take the number 1 jersey for the 2017 Under-20 Africa Cup on home soil?

Jacob Banda, did not enjoy the best of form in the 2016 CAF African Champions League, conceding in every game since his return from his medical leave, which leaves Mangani Banda with a chance to provide good competition to Jacob for the goalkeeper’s throne.

#2 Leonardo Castro

Zesco United might have signed Jesse Were to compete with Jackson Mwanza, and one wonders whether Idriss Mbombo has done enough to make his move permanent. The latter’s inconsistent form coupled with his inexperience when it comes to playing for a European superpower leaves things a little unstable for the upfront.

The big Colombian striker Leonardo Castro who plays for Mamelodi Sundowns himself is a proven striker, and the displays he has exuded while playing for Sundowns — especially in the big games — is worthy of recognition. However, with Mamelodi Sundowns deciding to keep him in the team, it is seemingly impossible for the Blues to acquire his services, but a Godfatheresque offer to Sundowns could do the trick.

#3 Ricardo Nascimento

Some eyebrows might be raised after reading the name of this Brazilian centre-back who plays for Mamelodi Sundowns, since Zesco United already have David Owino and Ben Adama Banh in their squad. Hence, adding another stupendous defender would be like having too many cooks to prepare the broth.

However, the kind of broth that Zesco need to become genuine CAF African Champions League title favorites is three or four top central defenders in the squad. Once upon a time, Nascimento wasn’t as reliable as he is now. Making errors quite often, many Sundowns fan did not rate him during the early stages of his career.

However, Pisto saw through his abilities and decided to use him in the center of the defensive back four. The rest, as they say, is history. Zesco United’s desperate need for squad depth considering the number of games they will have to play within a short space of time means that they could do with another centre-half and Nascimento would be the ideal player to add depth to Zesco's squad. However, whether Nascimento would want to come is an entirely different question altogether.

#4 Ziyo Tembo

Another centre-back option for Zesco United is the Zanaco FC powerhouse, Ziyo Tembo. Rumour has it that he could join the club for a club-record fee.

Tembo was signed in 2011 by the Lusaka club. He was not in an instant success, however, as his shaky displays made many wonder whether he would even last for a long time at Zanaco.

The veteran Zambian international, though, was given a new lease of life under Numamba Mumba, who saw the potential in him and tempered it to make him one of the best centre-backs in the Zambian Super League.

The reason why Zesco United should sign him for such an audacious amount is because of his abilities as a possession-sprayer. He is not only a great defender but is also someone who can keep the tempo of the system ticking from the back — someone like Ricardo Nascimento.

If Zesco United are to become clear favorites and genuine contenders for the CAF African Champions Leauge, a ball-playing centre-back is a must. And Ziyo could be the man.

#5 Rodriguez Miguel Kabwe

This time last year, he was one of the most coveted players in Zambia, and was widely tipped for a move to a top French club. Eventually, Zanaco FC will be forced to offload one of their star players to balance their books.

Rodriguez Miguel Kabwe will have to go and Zesco United will have to move fast to acquire his services and add a free-kick specialist to their squad.

His career with Zanaco has been illustrious. Now, it seems like the Bankers can to sell him and use that cash to fund other transfers. Keeping that in mind, Zesco United could move for him as they need a creative midfielder to work, and Rodriguez Miguel Kabwe could be their man.

He might not play as deep as Chaila or Akumu, but he still provides creativity in a system. With Kondwani Mtonga's creative form having declined over the last one-and-a-half-years, it would be wise of Zesco United to sign a good backup.