Seven things that make Zesco Unitedgreat.

For years, people have wondered what exactly makes a football club great? Is it based on the success, legacy, or a special connection that fans have with that club? No one has been able to answer these questions with certainty but let’s try to look at what makes, Zesco United great.

In recent years, people from across the country have developed the same sort of connection with the Zesco United Football Club. Zesco United have some of the best players in the country and Africa at large, a strong legacy, and to many people, they are extremely a likable team.

Zesco United has taken the Zambia football scenery by storm and despite their recent poor performance in the CAF Champions League, they have still been an impressive side in the last decade or so.

But even if Zesco United don’t win the 2019/2020 MTN/FAZ Super League, they will still be loved by people throughout the country. What is the reason why so many people love Zesco United?

REASON 1: LIKABILITY

Not every player on Zesco United squad is exactly a likable player (hello, Jesse Were) but for the most part, Zesco United’s players are well-liked by their fans.

The Kenyan striker is one of the biggest figures in the Super League. The ‘King’ as he is fondly known among his legion of fans and he is a revered figure in Ndola.

In 2018 during the Zesco United fans, beauty pageant Were pitched in and added a K1000 on Grace Chanda’s prize money from the fans for scoring 86 goals in 26 games for Zesco United Ladies.

He is adored in Ndola and rightfully so, In 2015 whilst at Tusker, The Kenyan talisman scored three hat tricks in three straight games against Chemelil, Sofapaka and Thika United from 12th July to 24th July and only missed out one hat-trick to level Nakayama Masashi in the Guinness Book of World Records whose four hat-tricks was recorded from 15th to 29th April in 1998.

Winston Kalengo, Jacob Banda and David Owino are among other lovable figures at the club and hey everybody loves a good guy.

REASON 2: NEWLY FOUND RIVALRY WITH NKANA

Kopala Derby. Last year, the rivalry between Zesco United and Nkana officially reached the next level when they were placed in the same group in last year’s Caf Confederations Cup.

Everybody loves a good rivalry and of course Nkana’s rivalry with Power Dynamos still remaining the most popular there is a belief among certain sections of soccer fans that the Zesco vs Nkana rivalry is quickly becoming the most fierce in the country.

REASON 3: ZESCO UNITED’S HISTORY

Nkana and Mighty Mufulira Wanderers are still the most successful teams in the country trophy wise but since 2000 Zesco United and Zanaco have been the two dominant clubs in the country and won a combined total of 15 league titles.

In total, Zesco United has won the Barclays Cup 5 times, Super League 8 times and reached the semi-finals of the Caf Champions League in 2016, pretty impressive for a team that just came into the Super League in 2004.

REASON 4: THE RECENT LEGACY OF WINNING

Zesco United has become compulsive winners throughout the last two decades sweeping almost everything in their path.

With globalization continuing to galvanize football, Zega Mambo has claimed an impressive amount of silverware. This includes Eight Zambian Super League crowns, Five Barclays Cup titles, 1 ABSA Cup, 1 Coca Cola Cup, 1 Mosi Cup, and 4 Charity Shield titles.

REASON 5: SUPERSTARS THROUGHOUT THEIR LINEUP

World over the best teams have Super Stars in their lineups and Zesco United is no different.

It is easy to attract a huge fan base if your club possesses some of the best players in the country and Zesco’s fan base has been growing steadily.

Zega Mambo is able to bring together top players from across the Continent in a way that football fans love.

With the likes of Winston Kalengo ( a two time Golden boot winner and Chipolopolo’s top goalscorer in 2016), Jacob Banda, Clement Mwape, Enock Sabamukama, Jesse Jackson Were and John Mark Makwatta on their side (along with many others), Zesco United are able to have numerous stars starting every match and achieve success due in large part to this.

REASON 6: THE LEVY MWANAWASA STADIUM

The Levy Mwanawasa Stadium is the second-largest stadium in Zambia and is certainly one of the most intimidating places to visit in the Super League.

With a capacity of 49,800, zesco United is able to draw a good number of fans to all of their matches, Yes they can’t yet fill it up but with some good work on fan mobilization and continued success on the pitch.

REASON 7: GEORGE LWANDAMINA AND HIS COACHING STAFF

George Lwandamina has proven himself to be one of the top managers in Zambia if not the best. The former Mighty Mufulira Wanderers Defender has led his Zesco United football club to an unprecedented level of success since he became the coach in 2014.

Lwandamina and his coaching staff have made Zega Mambo into arguably the most dominant club football club in Zambia during his reign. They also have an uncanny ability to make all of their players play better thanks to their football philosophy.

Lwandamina may not be everyone’s favorite but no one can argue that he is among one of the best coaches in Zambia.