By NDINAWE SIMPELWE –
WITH the top three teams out of action until tomorrow, trickles down to the wrong end of the table where relegation battles are hitting peak period in this weekend’s MTN-FAZ Super Division Week-37 fixtures.
Involved in these dogfights are five teams namely Mufulira Wanderers, Kabwe Warriors, Nchanga Rangers, Green Eagles and Nakambala who are all separated by just two points with two games to end the season.
Legendary Wanderers have the toughest task as they need to beat a fourth placed Nkanachasing continental football while Nchanga seem to have the easiest assignment as they date an already relegated Konkola Blades.
Wanderers vs Nkana
“The Super Division without Mighty’ is incomplete. We will play thisgame like a cup final,” Mufulira Wanderers coach Justin Chinamadeclared yesterday ahead of today’s must-win clash against rivalsNkana at Shinde Stadium.
Wanderers have found themselves in a precarious of needing to beat both Nkana today and ZescoUnited the next game to guarantee survival and also hope that their fellow relegation battlers drop points.
This is one fixture that has a lot of rich history with it as it pitstwo of the Zambia’s most successful teams but today, they go into chasing different fortunes- Nkana are aiming to consolidate top-fourposition.
Chinama admitted that Nkana will not have as much pressure as his side but was quick to mention that beating their biggest rivalwas motivation enough to win the match.
Both sides have been going through some good form with Nkana unbeatenin their last six games while Wanderers have lost once in the samenumber of games with Wanderers in 17th position with 39th points.
Rahim Osumanu and Giuly Manziba will be the main threats in theWanderers side while Beston Chambeshi will rely on Walter Bwalya andRonald Kampamba for goals.
Lusaka Dynamos v Warriors
KABWE Warriors are only above Wanderers because of goaldifference and just like Wanderers they are up against a team chasing a top-four finish.
Dynamos coach Patrick Phiri has done his best to build a Dynamos side that looked capable of challenging for the title but inconsistency has seen them drop to fifth position, five points off the dream top-four which comes with continental football next season.
Anything other than a win for Dynamos will completely end their dream ad that is what makes the case bad for Warriors.
Dynamos put themselves in trouble by losing to a demoted RealNakonde in mid-week when Warriors was picking a vital point against Napsa Stars.
Blades v Nchanga
KONKOLA Blades have nothing to play for as they became the third teamto go down last week while Nchanga Rangers have everything to playfor since they are far from safety, sitting two places and a point above therelegation cut point held by Wanderers.
Both sides are sponsored by Konkola Copper Mines but there will be nobrotherly love or favors on the pitch as each will be looking toimpress.
Napsa vs Nakambala
NAKAMBALA Leopards have managed to stay out of trouble so far thanksto their 20 draws this season which have seen them lie 13th on thetable needing at least three points from the remaining two games tostay afloat.
After surviving relegation through a boardroom decisionsin the last two years,Nakambala has made have to make the most of their third life by surviving on their own as they visit a Napsa side that has lost everything they werefighting for.
Napsa had are seventh with 55 points and does not look as motivated they were in the early stages ofthe campaign and this may work to Nakambala’s advantage as they willbe the ones needing the points more.
Nkwazi vs Lumwana
BOTH Nkwazi and Lumwana secured their places in the Super Divisionnext season and will be facing off at Ediwn Imboela Stadium to just earnpoints to end in a respectable position.
Lumwana have however defied with coach Zeddy Saileti grading his side as a complete Super Division side.
Power vs Nakonde
THE curtains came down on Power Dynamos in their quest to qualify forcontinental football after losing 1-0 at home against Zanaco whichleft them seven points off the top-four position.
They today face an already demoted Real Nakonde who will fancy playing a top club as they prepare for life in Division-One.
Forest vs City
FOREST Rangers will be confident of picking maximum points against aCity of Lusaka side that is not only demoted but going through a lotof confusion off the pitch with the Ndola side not expected to exercise any mercy as they aimfor a top 10 finish.