ZESCO’s coach Fighton Simukonda finds Sunday’s 1-0 loss against Nkwazi in the domestic league an alarming sign for his players as they gear up to take on Egypt’s Ahly in the round 16 of the CAF Champions League.

“I don’t see it as a setback, but it is a wake-up call. We are going to prepare well. You lose some and you win some, but all is not lost. We are definitely going to pull through and play well on Saturday,” Simukonda was quoted as saying Monday by online Zambian newspaper The Post.

“The game we played with Nkwazi has shown us that we need to work harder; we will now know where to improve,” he added.

Simukonda expects a tough challenge against the six-time African champions who will be eager to get an away advantage.

“Saturday’s game is very important and we have to work hard. It is not going to be an easy game and the players need to work extra hard,” the manager concluded.