By ELIAS CHIPEPO –
THE 2014 Buildcon-Zambia Rugby Union (ZRU) national rugby league top slot is up for grabs as four teams eye sole leadership of the table after today’s Week Two matches.
Champions Red Arrows, Green Eagles, ‘Powerhouse’ Lusaka and ‘Men At Work’ Diggers are all tied on four points and a win for any team coupled by a bonus point might just see one team going top of the log.
Thus the onus will be on the teams not only to concentrate on recording victories but also win with a bonus point to flee from the four-tie cluster.
Eagles host Lusaka in what will be the weekend top of the bill clash in the Showgrounds with Arrows hosting troubled Roan as Diggers welcome Chibuluma in Kitwe while Nkwazi and Buffaloes square off in a midlands derby.
Lusaka v Eagles
Eagles will be hoping to repeat last week’s exploits when the Zambia National Service (ZNS) side beat Buffaloes 28-8 but should be wary of the threat Lusaka poses especially that the midlands side is yet to physically play a match despite having four points.
Those points came courtesy of Roan, who failed to make the trip last weekend thus giving Lusaka free points on which the Joshua Lungu side will want to add more points today.
Arrows v Roan
Arrows will be hoping for an easier fixture this weekend unlike the case was against Chibuluma where the champions were made to struggle for the 13-8 win. Today’s match favours Arrows to comfortably get the four points and possible with a bonus point but only if Roan manages to travel.
Diggers v Chibuluma
Former league champions Diggers should wrap up this match with easy and be among the early pacesetters especially that Arrows, Eagles and Lusaka-all on four points have a chance to extend their point tally.
Chibuluma on the other hand would be hoping to become the first team to cause an upset at the Diggers Rugby Club Playing Fields by beating their hosts and record the first win of the campaign.
Nkwazi v Buffaloes
This match pits two sides desperately need a victory and it will be interesting to see who wins this midlands derby. But on paper, Buffaloes are tipped to win this encounter going by their squad and experience in the league though Nkwazi, who suffered a 22-16 loss to Diggers, will be no pushovers.
Meanwhile, ‘Killer Bees’ Ndola Wanderers will be looking for a second straight victory when they guest Konkola in the B League. Kitwe Playing Fields (KPF) takes on Diggers B with Mufulira up against Chambishi as Nchanga play Kansanshi, while Prisons are on bye.
