MWANZA

By ELIAS CHIPEPO-
CHAMPIONS Nkana today guest struggling Nakambala Leopards in a MTN-FAZ Premier League Week six rescheduled encounter aiming to continue with their fine form to move up the ladder and secure a Barclays Cup place.
With the season coming to a mid-season break after this weekend’s Week 15 MTN-FAZ Premier League matches, Nkana will also be aiming to start closing up the gap on the leaders Power Dynamos starting with the Week Six un-played match against Nakambala.
Nkana head into this fixture in seventh place on 20 points to trail Power and Zesco United, who are both tied on 30 points but have played four games than the Kitwe side, while Nakambala are third from bottom with 11 points.
A win for Nkana will see them move into fifth place relegation Konkola Blades, who are on 23 points, into sixth position on goal difference while a win for the home side will see them move out of the relegation zone.
The two sides head into today’s match with contrasting results with Nkana having thrashed Red Arrows 3-0 while Nakambala suffered a 3-1 beating against Zesco.
Coach Zeddy Saileti will be hoping for a repeated solid performance from his side with the striking pair of Evans Kangwa and Ronald ‘Sate Sate’ Kampamba expected to score the needed goals.
Shadreck Musonda and Simon Bwalya should marshal the midfield while experienced Billy Mwanza, Derrick Mwansa, Noel Phiri, Maybin Chishimba should provide cover for Rabson Mucheleng’anga.
Pressure is mounting on Nakambala coach Wilson Mwale to start deliver following a string of defeats suffered at the hands of Zesco, Nchanga Rangers and Green Buffaloes.
Mwale will bank on the likes of Friday Konga, Junior Zulu, Luka Tembo, Bernard Simakwezi and Isaac Liyanda to help the side end a miserable run.