TWO struggling former Super League champions Zanaco and Zesco United face-off today at Sunset Stadium in Lusaka while Power Dynamos is poised for the summit should they beat Chambishi by a comfortable margin.
In the words of Napsa Stars coach Perry Mutapa, games are flowing fast. It might just be Week 12, but there is no better time for teams to start tightening their belts than now.
CHAMBISHI v POWERPower’s last visit to Chambishi Stadium in Kalulushi was a sad one. The six-time champions lost 1-0, something they don’t want to repeat looking at what is at stake today.
With leaders Red Arrows facing Prison Leopards in Kabwe tomorrow, Power can go on top should they see off Chambishi with a 4-0 win.Power have already shown that they are able to score that number of goals after bashing Buildcon 4-0 two weeks ago.
However, they come into this game bruised with a 1-0 defeat to Green Buffaloes while Chambishi are riding high on confidence following a 2-0 win over Green Eagles in Choma.
NKANA v LUMWANA
Four draws in the last four matches is enough to earn Nkana a draw specialist tag.Lying low in the relegation zone with nine points, this is something that they have to change like yesterday.Lumwana visit Nkana Stadium in Kitwe knowing that the home side has not managed a victory in Wusakile township so far. Bilton Musonda’s men will fancy their chances.Nkana on the other hand have a derby to look forward to next Saturday, a win today will boost their morale ahead of the meeting with Power.
FOREST v NKWAZI
Nkwazi coach Tenant Chilumba returns to Trade Fair Ground in Ndola to face his former employers Forest Rangers. Chilumba has fond memories at Forest having guided them to a maiden appearance in the CAF Champions League.Coach Ian Bakala has done tremendous work at Forest.They sit fourth with 18 points, should they win, they will be within a point of Arrows.Nkwazi on the other side seem to have improved under Chilumba who took charge three weeks ago.Nkwazi have managed a win and two draws in Chilumba’s first three matches
ZANACO v ZESCO
Seen as perianal title contenders in the past seasons, these two teams are experiencing a strange campaign thus far to the extent that they are not yet in the title equation.Zesco have been the better of the two sitting five points behind Arrows while Zanaco are still trying to reinvent themselves. Today offers a chance for both teams to give it their best.
Zanaco, who have 15 points and on tenth position on the log, beat Napsa 2-1 while Zesco saw off Buildcon 3-2 to occupy fifth position with 17 points.The game gives Zesco a chance to narrow the gap with teams above them.
BUFFALOES v NAPSA
Although both coaches have played it down, this is a meeting between Mutapa and his long-time friend Masautso Tembo than it is about Buffaloes and Napsa.Mutapa and Tembo have a history of working together as head coach and assistant respectively until they were separated at Power Dynamos last season.
Today, they meet at Edwin Imboela Stadium in Lusaka for the first time as head coaches in the Super League having locked horns in the National Division One last season when Mutapa’s Napsa faced Tembo’s MUZA.MUZA won 1-0.“A difficult game to play…from a possible six we have picked one point [in the last two games] so we are looking forward to the game,” Mutapa said.For Tembo, he wants his side to pick it up from their 1- 0 win over Power.
RANGERS v EAGLES
After starting well, Rangers have found the going tough and are without a win in their last five games. A search for victory today faces a Green Eagles test at Nchanga Stadium in Chingola.Eagles are coming into this game from a loss to Chambishi and interim coach Alex Namazaba is determined to bounce back to winning way
