By ELIAS CHIPEPO –

ZANACO’S stay at the summit at the MTN-FAZ Premier League table comes under threat this afternoon when the leader’s guest a rejuvenated but sixth placed Nchanga Rangers in Chingola.
Also vying for top slot, should Zanaco lose at Nchanga Stadium in what is becoming a three-team race is second placed Power Dynamos and Zesco United who are lying third after suffering a shock 1-0 defeat to National Assembly.
Power takes on stubborn Konkola Blades while Zesco have a chance to make amends when they host Napsa Stars.
Zanaco are top with 51 points followed by Power and Zesco are on 50 and 49 points respectively while the top of the bill clash sees champions Nkana visit Green Buffaloes aiming to make amends after picking up just a point from a possible six.
Rangers v Zanaco
Pressure is mounting on coach Aggrey Chiyangi to deliver the bankers the league title following last weekend 0-0 draw against second from bottom Konkola Mine Police but luckily for them, Zesco tumbled in their rescheduled clash to maintain the status quo at the top of the table.
But today Zanaco face a tough test in Rangers who seem to have picked up form and would want to revenge the 3-2 suffered at Sunset Stadium in a bid to close up on the leading pack.
Coach Fighton Simukonda will look up for Spencer Ngalande, Patrick Kabamba, Larry Bwalya and Aubrey Chamulwanda for that needed win to spoil Zanaco’s surge towards winning the title.
Chinyangi has the likes of Moses Phiri, Body Mwangelwa , Roderick Kabwe, Henry Banda, Mathews Macha among others to ensure Zanaco gets the win to keep them top of the table.
Power v Blades
Power dropped two massive points in the 0-0 draw against Green Eagles last weekend to miss out on going top and coach Tenant Chilumba will be hoping for a positive response against Blades.
In-form strikers Alex Ng’onga and Jimmy Ndhlovu will be the key men as Power aim to collect maximum points off Blades with Julius Situmbeko and Richard Kasonde should be instrumental in providing those needed goals upfront.
The reverse fixture saw Power humbled 1-0 in Chililabombwe and Power will need to be wary of a side that boosts of the likes of Humphrey Masenko will be inspiration along with David ‘Spacio’ Kalayndanya and Robert Tembo.
Zesco v Napsa
George ‘Chicken’ Lwandamina will be demanding for a quick response from his side following Wednesday’s defeat when they take on a Napsa side, that is five points behind the Ndola side.
A win for Zesco might see them go top for the first time should both Zanaco and Power lose while a victory for Blades will see them cut the gap with their hosts to two points to give themselves a slim chance of qualifying for a continental slot.
Buffaloes v Nkana
Green Buffaloes have had a inconsistent season managing only six wins from 25 matches to sit fifth from bottom on 28 points and are in dire need of a win to escape going under.
But they face a Nkana side that demolished them 5-1 in Kitwe in a reverse fixture and will need to up their game as the champions will be aiming for a win to get back to winning ways and cling to their slim hopes of returning the league title.
Others matches will see relegation threatened Indeni host Kabwe Warriors with bottom rocked Roan United, on 17 points, making a trip to Lusaka under new coach Fordson Kabole, who replaced Dean Mwiinde, to face an equally struggling Assembly side on 27 points.
Konkola Mine Police take on Nakambala Leopards while Arrows play Green Eagles tomorrow at Nkoloma Stadium in a match to be beamed live on SuperSport.