By FELIX MALUNGA –

THREE-TIME champions, Zesco United today have a chance of narrowing the gap with leaders Zanaco when they host struggling Green Buffaloes in Ndola in an MTN Premier Division League Week 19 fixture which has been brought forward.

This fixture initially set for Saturday has been rescheduled for today at the elegant Levy Mwanawasa Stadium to enable Zesco travel to Tanzania where the Zambian team has been invited to be part of Simba Sports Club’s 78th anniversary celebrations this weekend.

After rediscovering their winning touch last weekend, Zesco hope to pile more misery on a Buffaloes side that has gone two consecutive games without scoring goal.

Heading into this fixture, coach George Lwandamina is relieved to see international midfielder Justin Zulu return to training after picking up an injury in Zesco’s 2-1 win over Nchanga Rangers at the weekend.

Apart from Zulu, defender Gift Sakuwaha had also limped off in Chingola but he is also back to the fold.

Bilton Musonda, who took over the reigns from veteran Patrick Phiri, is yet to strike the right balance in the Buffaloes team and find the necessary consistency for the Zambia Army side to revive their fading title hopes.

From the 18 games played so far, Buffaloes have only managed five wins and five draws, losing the other eight.

Lwandamina, a former Buffaloes trainer, will be banking on Zesco’s top scorer Jackson Mwanza and his striking partner Winston Kalengo to get past the 10th placed team on the log.

Former internationals Sebastian Mwansa and Allan Mukuka will be expected to inspire Buffaloes as they hope for a revival.

Zesco have 38 points, two adrift Zanaco while Buffaloes, who drew 0-0 with relegation-haunted Roan United at the weekend, are on 20 points.