By MOSES CHIMFWEMBE –

LCC Looters v Magic
HOLDERS Matero Magic this afternoon take to the court at the Olympic Youth Development Centre (OYDC) in Lusaka hoping to shrug off their last weekend’s disappointing defeat as they square up with Lusaka City Council (LCC) Looters in the Zambia Basketball Association (ZBA) south league week nine games.
Magic were handed the first defeat in this year’s campaign by title rivals UNZA Pacers with a slender 53-55 score but they still remained at the summit of the table on 15 points.
Any slip for the reigning champions will see the top of the table change hands for the first time this season if Napsa Hurricanes and Pacers, both on 14 points win their games against sixth placed Hawks and bottom placed Junior Looters respectively.
A win for Green Buffaloes, who are fourth on the table with 13 points will keep up pressure on the top three team and they face a seemingly easy task to outdo relegation threatened Assumption Comets.
Magic B v Heroes
In the men’s second tier league, leaders Heroes Unity Play take on Matero Magic B in the battle for supremacy.
Both teams have won all their games this season and are tied on 16 points but Heroes, who enjoy a superior goal difference are top of the table.
A win for either of the teams will see them open a point-lead on the log, with Kabwe Legends and Earthrow Bulldogs, who have 14 points looking forward to close the gap when they square up with Kafue Nkosi and Junior Hurricanes respectively.
Buffaloes v Napsa Breeze
Feminine league leaders, Green Buffaloes are out to consolidate their grip on the table when they take on third placed Napsa Breeze.
Buffaloes lead on 13 points together with second placed Unza Honeys, who are in action against the Shells.
Other Fixtures: Green Eagles v Spartans, ZCAS Blazers v Hornets Ruiners, Nkwazi v Denvers, Lusaka Rockets v Intrepid Bulls, Hotspurs v LCC Lootress, Munali Suns v Buffaloes B and Lotus Challengers v CHINZAM Dragons.
Konkola v Crusaders
With the northern region league entering week eight, Kwacha Crusaders have a chance to take over the leadership of the log if they beat Konkola Trotters by a resounding score this afternoon as Lunga Bullets are out of action.
Crusaders have accumulated 10 points from their last seven games, two points behind Lunga and they are favorites to collect maximum points against a winless Konkola side that is still on the bottom of the log.
Third placed CEC Cavs on nine points will be looking forward to add more woes on the struggling Ndola Nets, who are still chasing for their first victory and are stuck in the relegation waters with only four points.
Titans v Blazers
The league B will see Riverside Titans battle it out with CEC Blazers in the clash of the Titans with the winner guaranteed of topping the table.
Currently on 10 points, both teams have won all their opening five games and enjoy a two-point gap ahead of Fairview Falcons, who will be aiming to keep up the pressure on the top two team when they face Konkola Heats.