Kenyan international Ian Otieno is hoping to report to National Team duties with another title under his belt as his Zesco United side take on Lusaka Dynamos in the Samuel ‘Zoom’ Ndhlovu Charity Shield final.The season’s curtain-raiser is slated for Saturday pitting the league champions Zesco United against the 2021 Absa Cup champions Lusaka Dynamos that will be staged at the MTN Woodlands stadium.Otieno who earned a call up to the Harambee Stars squad ahead of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Uganda and Rwanda in September will play the clash before uniting with the team in camp.Preseason friendly resultsZESCO United 3 Jumulo FC 3 pic.twitter.com/7FYWgcfLkW— Zesco United FC (@ZescoUnitedFC) August 21, 2021 Speaking ahead of the Lusaka Dynamos clash, the former AFC Leopards custodian revealed that the players are in a boisterous mood ahead of the Shield clash and highlighted the importance of starting the season with a bang. “The mood in the camp is very good. Everyone is working hard. We know they defeated us in the Absa Cup final but this one is another final which we can use to make amends.”“It is important to win because this will be the first trophy of the calendar season. It is important for us psychologically as we prepare for the new season,” said Otieno.Zesco will be out to defend their league title and qualify for the CAF Champions League group stages for the first time since 2018 and only their third time in history. NEW SEASON IN SIGHT! pic.twitter.com/ZBVBM5D5UP— Zesco United FC (@ZescoUnitedFC) August 20, 2021 The Harambee Stars goalkeeper was impressed by Zesco’s transfer business in the offseason transfer window after roping in Dickson Chapa from Napsa Stars and Peter Maker from South Sudanese side Munuki FC. “It’s motivating enough because we know the players they have brought in have quality. We believe when the league starts, they will bring quality to the team,”“This is a team and we don’t play football as individuals. We need to work as a team. We are happy for them for having joined us,” added Otieno. Lusaka Dynamos is home to Kenyan international Duncan Otieno while Zesco also houses Jesse Were who is the club’s all-time top scorer.
