By FELIX MALUNGA –

ZANACO’S status as 2014 MTN Premier Division League title favourites will pass beneath an unforgiving microscope today when champions Nkana travel to Lusaka for a seismic Week 20 clash at Sunset Stadium.

Second-placed Zesco United, who have stuttered in the last two games which ended in draws, must rediscover their winning rhythm this afternoon when they host troubled Roan United at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.

Title-chasing Power Dynamos should also overcome Green Buffaloes away in Lusaka to keep tabs with the leading duo – Zanaco and Zesco while the battle for survival at the foot of the table also hosts up where Indeni are plotting to scuttle Green Eagles’ good away record.

Zanaco v Nkana

Leaders Zanaco will be bidding to extend their good run in the MTN Premier Division League run when they face title holders, Nkana in Lusaka today.

Zanaco, who have so far plundered 44 goals in 19 league games, hope to avenge that painful 0-2 loss they suffered at Nkana in the reverse fixture and possibly end the champions’ hopes of defending the title.

Aggrey Chiyangi will also be pleased to lead Zanaco taking on a Nkana side without the two ‘musketeers’, Ronald ‘Sate Sate’ Kampamba and Evans Kangwa, who punished the league pacesetters in Kitwe.

Despite collecting two successive victories in the CAF Confederation Cup, Nkana coach, Beston Chambeshi is yet to register a win in the local league and there will be nothing as sweet as beating Zanaco today.

This top of the bill clash will also act as Nkana’s preparatory match before heading to Ivory Coast next week for a decisive continental match against Sewe Sport.

Going into this fixture, Zanaco lead the chart on 43 points, 14 clear of Nkana.

Zesco v Roan

Having drawn two consecutive matches which left them four points adrift Zanaco, Zesco United are desperate to get back into their groove this afternoon when they host demotion-fearing Roan United at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.

In this match to be broadcast across Africa by pay-television Supersport, George Lwandamina, whose charges had a successful tour of duty in Tanzania last weekend, badly need maximum points to stay abreast with Zanaco.

In striker Jackson Mwanza, Zesco have a weapon capable of destroying any team on his day.

However, Dean Mwiinde is also eager to turn around the fortunes of the Luanshya side that has only won three times this season and lost 10 games.

Roan are lying second from the bottom of the log on 14 points while Zesco are second to the top on 39 points.

Buffaloes v Power

After forcing a 2-2 draw at Zesco last week, Green Buffaloes believe they have overcome teething problems which have dogged them this season and hope to frustrate Power Dynamos’s title aspirations this afternoon.

But Power, who are seven points shy of Zanaco, are aware that any more slip ups could end their seventh league title hopes.

With on-loan teenage star Lubambo Musonda deserting the club for greener pasture in Europe, coach Tenant Chilumba, whose charges drew at Nchanga Rangers last weekend, will need to find the right combinations to down Bilton Musonda’s Buffaloes.

In today’s other matches, stubborn Indeni will hope to punish Green Eagles, whose last visit to the Copperbelt ended in a shock victory at champions Nkana while Nakambala Leopards have a tough assignment on their hands as they host 2014 revelation, Napsa Stars in Mazabuka.

Rejuvenated Kabwe Warriors welcome struggling Konkola Blades, who have gone five games without a win while tomorrow Nchanga Rangers will take on Red Arrows with Konkola Mine Police facing National Assembly.