In week nine, the previously unbeaten Trident were defeated by the renowned Mufulira Wanderers, 3-0, at Shinde stadium. With the victory, the Wanderers moved to the top of National Division One on goal differential, passing the previously unbeaten Trident.
The two teams are tied for fewest defeats (one) and have won the same amount of games and drawn the same number of games, with Mufulira Wanderers holding a little advantage due to their goal differential.
The weekend’s games provided an intriguing preview of what we may see as the division competition heats up as teams aim for the top four spots that will allow them to join the super league.
Kafue Eagles, formerly known as Young Green Eagles, have been a pleasant surprise so far thanks to coach Mwaange, who has his team sitting just one point out of first position and with a higher goal difference than Trident should they tie for second place in the standings.
Although Indeni is now in top four and has had a strong season thus far, they are still rather not far out from the chasing group and may easily fall to ninth place if other teams’ results in week ten go against them. This clearly demonstrates how difficult National Division is shaping up to be, and how teams should be doing well to crack the top four.
However, Mutondo Stars have now experienced back-to-back losses in addition to a number of draws lined up. Despite entering the division with a high profile after having dominated the playoff teams, by week nine they have fallen to the 11th spot in the division. coached by the seasoned Zeddy Sailet ,they have not won in six games, and the departure of assistant Billy to Nkwazi is a major cause for concern. Mutondo, the Copperbelt favorite team managed by Kabila, a former president of Nkana, must reevaluate their play if they want to get to the super league.
Mpulungu Harbor, who improved their relegation standing with a win over Livingstone Pirates, aren’t the only team fighting for survival in the relegation zone, though; ZESCO Malaiti Rangers, Atletico Lusaka, and Kitwe United are all in the mix as well.
