By SHAMAOMA MUSONDA –

CHAMPIONS Nkana with their ego bruised from a shock away defeat to Nakambala Leopards in midweek go into MTN Premier Division League action today desperate to salvage a 2014 Barclays Cup spot while leaders Zanaco, winless in three matches want to get back to winning ways.
Nkana v Assembly
Kitwe side and record Zambian league champions Nkana, with 12 titles, welcome National Assembly to their famous ‘ichilata’ Nkana Stadium in Kitwe in a Week 15 match they have to win to save chances of taking part in the Barclays Cup, whose cut point comes this weekend.
With just the Premiership’s top six teams making the competition, Nkana lying agonisingly in seventh place on 20 points, one less the cut point and that position is held by their guests today, Assembly.
Playing catch up in the league after spending a lot of time in continental football, Nkana was on fire, beating all before them including Zanaco but they came unstuck in Mazabuka where they lost 1-0 to Nakambala.
So this match is one they need to show they are still in it for a title defence knowing that the leading pack are a hungry and ruthless trio of Zanaco, Zesco United and Power Dynamos.
Zeddy Saileti will hope the striking pair of Ronald Kampamba and Evans Kangwa, the country’s most lethal frontline, will be at its best to dismantle an otherwise solid Assembly side led by a forceful Timothy Mbewe.
Assembly, who had a dream start, have had a mixed five last fixtures, which started with a 1-0 loss to Red Arrows and then picked up two wins and draw before last weekend’s shockingly capitulating to Napsa Stars with a 4-1 drubbing.
Nkana need to be warned, this is a recovery game for the ‘Parliamentarians’ and any laxity can have dire consequences.
Zanaco v Arrows (15:00hrs at Sunset)
This Lusaka derby will be the most hotly contested game of the weekend especially that Zanaco have to get back to winning ways to retain their zeal for the title.
Zanaco have seen their rich five-point lead cut to zero and a game more than Zesco United in just seven days.
In Davy Daka, Moses Phiri, Matthew Macha and Isaac Chansa, Zanaco have all the ammunition they need to consign Red Arrows and Oswald Mutapa Jnr to fifth straight loss and one which could send them into relegation waters especially that they are still smarting from a 3-0 smacking by an efficient Nkana on Sunday.
Nakambala v Power
Power Dynamos go to Mazabuka trying to show that they can outdo Nkana by winning where their fiercest rivals fell three days ago to get a first loss in the league this season but they have to be wary of the fact that Nakambala are a tough nut to crack at home.
Napsa v Eagles (13hrs at Sunset)
Hector Chilombo made a huge announcement last weekend when his Napsa Stars were beating Assembly 4-1 which was more than sweet especially that it was a recovery from two straight defeats.
In this lunchtime kick-off at Sunset Stadium, Napsa have a tough test against Justin Chinama’s exciting bunch of ‘kids’ in Green Eagles who have two wins and draw in the last four games.
Roan v Blades
Konkola Blades is the only Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) side that is thriving and they have one more opportunity to show just why Beston Chambeshi is doing a good job at the Chililabombwe side when they travel to bottom of the pile Roan United in Luanshya.
Other games will see Konkola Mine Police host Nchanga Rangers in a KCM derby with Indeni at home to Bilton Musonda’s Green Buffaloes.
In the only Sunday match and set for across Africa televising via Supersport, title chasing Zesco United travel to resurgent Kabwe Warriors which has brought back some experienced legs to save their season.
Zesco coach George Lwandamina will be without two figures in Matthew Nkowane and defender Hichani Himoonde but the coach believes his side is mentally and physically prepared to win the match set for Godfrey ‘Ucar’ Chitalu Stadium in Kabwe.
LUMBIWE MWANZA reports that while Himoonde picked up an injury in training, the influential midfielder Nkowane sustained bruises in a road traffic accident.