By ELIAS CHIPEO –
CHAMPIONS Nkana return to local action today aiming to put the disappointing CAF 2014 Confederation Cup exit behind them and put the title defence back on track but face a rejuvenated Kabwe Warriors side in the MTN-FAZ Premier League Week 22 clash.
Leaders Zanaco make a trip down south to face Nakambala Leopards hoping to maintain top slot especially that a defeat would see second placed Zesco United, who host struggling Red Arrows, go top with a win while third placed Power Dynamos can close the gap with victory over bottom placed Roan United.
Zanaco lead the log on 44 points followed by Zesco on 42, Power on 40 while Nkana are on fifth place on 32 points and a win will only see them increase their point tally but maintaining the same points owing to the six point gap with fourth placed Napsa Stars.
Warriors v Nkana
Mohammed Fathy faces stern test today when his railwaymen take on a Nkana side that not only did not inflict a 5-0 hammering in a reverse fixture but out to restore its battered pride following the continental games exit.
But stealing the action in today’s matches would be the absence of key players from both sides who will be involved with the Zambia Under-20 side today as well as the Chipolopolo tomorrow unless if successfully talks were reach to have some players released.
With Ronald ‘Sate Sate’ out of the squad, the onus to score those vital goals rests on the likes of Festus Mbewe and Lottie Nyimibiri and should expect support from Simon Bwalya, Sydney Kalume, Shadreck Musonda as coach Beston Chambeshi sets his eyes on getting maximum three points.
Zesco v Arrows
Zesco will be hoping Nakambala does them a favour in Mazabuka by beating Zanaco so that they can go top of the table as the George Lwandamina coached side hosts a Arrows side that has failed to win in the last 11 games.
Lwandamina will also be aiming to inflict more misery on his former employers who have struggled this season to occupy the last relegation slot on 20 points. The last encounter between these two sides ended in a 1-all draw but Zesco will be too strong this time around for Arrows to get anything from this match to be beamed live on SuperSport at 15:00hours after the Indeni versus Napsa Stars game at 13:00hours.
Elsewhere, Power host Roan hoping to get a win to close up on the top two while the match involving Green Buffaloes and National Assembly has been postponed due to the Chipolopolo and Under-20 matches.
Playing tomorrow Sunday: Konkola Mine Police v Blades and Nchanga Rangers v Green Eagles