WHAT a season! What a finish!
It has been a suspense-filled 2014 MTN-FAZ Premier Division League season and probably confirming how competitive our league has become.
Three top clubs Zanaco, Zesco United and Power Dynamos all had chances of snatching the coveted trophy on the final day of the season.
So intriguing has this season been that no one could figure out which team will run away with the trophy on November 22, 2014.
However, Zanaco were clear favourites as the led chart before the season’s last assignments with Zesco and Power lurking closely behind.
After all the Week 30 drama yesterday, Zesco United, who last weekend seemed to have surrendered the initiative to Zanaco, emerged 2014 MTN-FAZ Premier Division League kings after sending Kabwe Warriors to the lower ranks with a 3-1 victory in Ndola.
Zanaco eased Zesco’s route to the winners’ podium after suffering a humiliating 4-0 bashing at Red Arrows, the result which saved the Zambia Air Force sponsored team from being relegated.
The mayhem in Lusaka all happened in the second half when Arrows had a four-goal blitz to deny Aggrey Chiyangi a chance of lifting the trophy with Zanaco.
At the close of business yesterday, Zanaco found themselves finishing third on the log and missed out on playing continental football next year after Power Dynamos piped them to second position by beating Nakambala Leopards 1-0.
Zesco’s record fourth league championship also gave one of Zambia’s most experienced and respected coaches, George Lwandamina a first taste of the league title.
Lwandamina is now in line to end this season with two trophies if Zesco edge dethroned league champions, Nkana in the Barclays Cup final.
The former Zambia Under-20 coach coach also won the Barclays Cup with Arrows last year.
Ironically, Zesco were league champions in 2007, 2008 and 2010–the same years they were also Barclays Cup kings.
Accompanying Warriors to the lower echelons of the Zambia league structure next season will be Konkola Mine Police, Indeni and Roan United, respectively.
Lusaka Dynamos, Nkwazi, Forest Rangers and ‘Mighty’ Mufulira Wanderers will replace the demoted quartet.
Earlier this season, Power appeared on course for a seventh league title but later exchanged the leadership with Zanaco while Zesco were switching between second and third positions.
Napsa Stars also joined the chase in fourth position while holders Nkana, with a backlog of un-played games due to continental engagements, were mid-tablers.
Just like the 2013 edition when the champion was decided on the final day, this year’s MTN Premier Division League winners were only known after 90 minutes of the season-closing fixtures.
Therefore, I would like to congratulate Zesco for fighting to the end and clinching their fourth league title.
I believe FAZ also deserve some praise for making the league more competitive by attracting a good sponsor in mobile telecommunication firm, MTN Zambia and for showing the games across the continental on SuperSport channel.
It is now my belief that Zesco and Power will prepare adequately and represent Zambia well in next year’s CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup competitions, respectively.
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