By Kalumiana Kalumiana
By Kalumiana Kalumiana
Zesco United coach Emmanuel Siwale says he will miss his young midfielders Pascal Chansa and David Simukonda who have left the club but has fully blessed their moves to Egypt.
Simukonda has joined Ceramic Cleopatra and Chansa has been signed on by Zesco’s current CAF Confederation Cup Group D opponents Al Masry.
Siwale said in a post-match interview on Saturday after Zesco’s 1-0 home win over Kabwe Warriors at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola that their professional moves were very timely despite his team technically being set back in their continental and domestic plans following their departure.
”That’s why we are coaches and sometimes you work with what we have and it’s good that we have new players who have come. So we will see how they will fit in. But they were my kids, so I will miss them. But it’s a team composed of more than 30 players who always find a way,” Siwale said.
”I can only wish them good luck. What they must not forget is that that is another country and maybe another level. So they must take things seriously so that we see them progress. I would have also loved if they can progress going into Europe because that is the best destination.”
Simukonda and Phiri were part of Moses Sichone’s 2025 AFCON team in Morocco.
Meanwhile, Siwale said the 1-0 win over Kabwe Warriors was a big lift before hosting Kaizer Chiefs this Sunday at Levy Stadium on match day three of their 2025/2026 CAF Confederation Cup Group D campaign.
The victory came a week after starting 2026 with a 1-0 away loss to Nkana in Kitwe when the league season resumed after the 4-week 2025 AFCON break.
”We just have to make sure we prepare well. This is a league, now we go to Continental. That is another high-level competition,” Simukonda said.
”If you meet experienced teams who have played continental it’s a different thing altogether. So we just have to go and prepare well for Kaizer Chiefs. Especially that we are playing at home, we just have to make sure we collect maximum points.”
Zesco is bottom of Group D on zero points after two games played, Chiefs are 3rd with 1 point, Zamalek are second on 4 points while Al Masry lead on maximum 6 points.
