Zesco United's appearance in the semifinals of the African Champions League is something of a surprise, given their paucity of resources. I mean, how much is a player at Zesco earning?But they are a team not to be underestimated.The Zambian champions face Mamelodi Sundowns in the semifinals of the continent's elite club competition and will be underdogs in the eyes of many.But there is a steely quality about the team from Ndola.Sundowns have previously camped in Ndola and played friendlies against Zesco in recent years, also loaned them former Zambia national team captain Hichani Himonde and Togo international Emmanuel Matthias.That familiarity will be an asset, especially in the away leg of the semifinal on the weekend of September 17-18.The second leg in Pretoria is a week later.Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has previously talked up the performances of Zesco, especially with regards their mental strength."I mean, Zesco United - Zesco, we loaned them players at Sundowns. And they don't even pay loan fees. But they keep going in Africa. How do they go?" he told reporters."I mean, how much is a player at Zesco earning? But they keep going. So it's the mentality, it's the culture."Zesco are coached by George Lwandamina, who until recently doubled up as the Zambia national coach.They lifted the domestic league title last year, retaining the trophy they won the year before.They gave a stern warning of their potential in the second round of qualifying with a 5-2 aggregate win over vaunted Stade Malien, which included a 3-1 away win.It is a sign of where they are that Lwandamina laid into his players in the wake of the 2-2 draw in Cairo, suggesting they should have won the game.Kenya international striker Jesse Were has been a star performer for them in this campaign, along with Zambian international midfielder Clatous Chama and another Kenyan, David Owino...