MTN Super League giant ZESCO United needs to make wholesale changes to its squad after the departure of as many as 10 key first-team players ahead of the 2024/25 season.
ZESCO has confirmed parting ways with experienced players including midfielder Collins Sikombe, Kenyan striker Jesse Were, Lazarus Kambole, and the 2012 AFCON winner Nathan Sinkala.
Club legend Jesse Were, who returned to ZESCO six months ago, has left on account of his contract having expired. Kambole’s contract also expired while Sinkala and Sikombe left on mutual consent.
Other players whose contracts have not been renewed include Chipolopolo midfielder Kelvin Kapumbu, goalkeeper Mwenya Chibwe, Ugandan Kizito Keizron, Mpho Mathekgane from South Africa, and the West African duo of Francis Elimbi and Samuel Adeyemi from Nigeria.
Club CEO Charles Kalala revealed that the club had attempted to renew some of the departing players’ contracts but could not agree on fresh terms. ZESCO is now actively searching for replacements.
“We tabled improved offers to some of the players that have left the team. Unfortunately, that could not persuade them to stay. We have already started scouting for replacements in these departments. The club will be making announcements of the new signings in the coming days,” Kalala said.
The club has so far been linked with several signings including former Nkana and Power Dynamos striker Alex Ng’onga, Red Arrows captain Benedict Chepeshi, and George Ngoma of Green Buffaloes.
ZESCO is preparing to compete in the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup this coming season.
