THE MTN-FAZ Super League enters its penultimate stage today with title chasing Zanaco and Power Dynamos clashing in a Week 29 fixture at Sunset Stadium with top slot available for the winner.
With leaders Zesco United out of action for atleast 24 hours before they guest Nakambala Leopards in Mazabuka tomorrow, a win for either Zanaco or Power will see them go top.
Relegation battles continue with Red Arrows needing a win away at Nkana in Kitwe that would see the airmen move out of the relegation waters ahead of Green Buffaloes and Kabwe Warriors who face each other tomorrow at Sunset Stadium.
Zanaco v Power
Power and Zanaco are tied on 54 points heading into their Week 29 game with a 2015 continental slot on offer and contention for the 2014 title.
Zanaco coach Aggrey Chiyangi has described the fixture as a do-or-die encounter.
“I think it will be a very interesting game. Why I say it will be very interesting is because between us and Power the one who wins simply means they qualify for continental without talking about the league championship.
The most important thing is to prepare the players psychologically so that they are ready for that game because it will be played under so much pressure they just need to know how to handle it and know what to do at the right time,” he said.
A draw for the two sides today and a win for Zesco away at Nakambala tomorrow will hand the Ndola side the title.
Power striker Jimmy Ndhlovu, who has scored 14 goals this year, said they have come a long way this season and cannot afford to come away with a draw in Lusaka.
“That game is our dealmaker. It will win or cost us the league. So we cannot afford to make silly mistakes because we shall regret that for the rest of our lives,” he said.
The two sides played out to a 2-all draw in the first leg last May in a match Zanaco snatched a late equaliser to earn a point in Kitwe.
However, Zanaco will be without hero on that day Charles Zulu whose goal clinched the point including Roderick Kabwe who are both on 2015 Africa Cup duty in Mozambique with the Chipolopolo.
Power have their strongest squad but key midfielder Richard Kasonde is a big doubt after being sidelined for the last three weeks with an ankle injury.
Nkana v Arrows
Relegation threatened Arrows fate could be decided today when they visit Nkana in Kitwe and the same goes for Indeni in their home game against Nchanga Rangers in Ndola.
Arrows are fourth from bottom, which is the last relegation slot, on 32 points same as Buffaloes but are separated by a goal difference and are in dire need of a win to keep alive their fading hopes of avoiding the drop.
Nkana on the other hand would want a victory to wrap their home fixture on a high and close up the gap on the top three sides.
Elsewhere, Konkola Mine Police visit demoted Roan United at Kafubu Stadium in Luanshya in search of a win to avoid relegation.
At Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe, Konkola Blades host Green Eagles while at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka, Napsa Stars host National Assembly.