By KALUMIANA KALUMIANA –
‘MIGHTY’ Mufulira Wanderers begin life away from their Shinde Stadium fortress when they host Power Dynamos in Luanshya today as the MTN-FAZ Super League enters Week 21.
Holders Zesco United are chasing a rare double over Red Arrows while Zanaco date Napsa Stars in a Lusaka derby.
The battle for survival is also heating up at the basement of the table where about seven clubs that include 12-time league kings, Nkana, are heavily involved.
Wanderers v Power
Seventh-placed Mufulira Wanderers were handed a six-match home ban following a riot during their abandoned game against Zesco United on August 8.
This afternoon Wanderers will begin serving the sentence with a tough tie against Power Dynamos at their new home ground, Kafubu Stadium in Luanshya.
“I told my players that we should soldier on. I told them that let us just make sure our objectives are met,” Wanderers coach Manfred Chabinga said.
Wanderers have not had much fortune away from Shinde where they had picked up five wins and two draws prior to the Zesco game.
Outside Mufulira, Wanderers have won just three of their 11 games and Chabinga is desperate to steer the nine-time champions away from that physiological iceberg.
Wanderers have one setback heading into the back with defender and captain Warren Kunda ruled out of the match due to injury.
Power, who are second on the log, also have some injury setbacks heading to Kafubu.
Goalkeeper Joshua Titima will miss his second straight match due to an ankle injury sustained on August 9 in Power’s 1-0 away win over Napsa Stars.
Midfielder Kelvin Mubanga too who missed last Sunday’s 2-0 home win over Nakambala Leopards has been ruled out with a groin problem.
Arrows v Zesco
Leaders Zesco United search for their second straight win when they visit Red Arrows at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.
Zesco beat Arrows 3-2 in the reverse fixture in Ndola and will be seeking their first back-to-back wins over Arrows in one season since 2007.
Coach George Lwandamina will be seeking his first league victory at Nkoloma since he left the airmen in the 2014 pre-season.
Lwandamina will be relying on international strikers Winston Kalengo and Jackson Mwanza who scored in the first leg.
Zesco is looking for another important win after last weekend’s thrilling 5-3 home win over Nkana.
Victory for Zesco today will see the Ndola giants rise to 49 points while Arrows, sixth on the log, will move to 32 points if they conjure up a victory over their visitors.
Elsewhere, Zanaco visit Napsa Stars at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka, Nkwazi are in Chingola to face Nchanga Rangers while bruised Nkana host Green Eagles at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe.
Green Buffaloes clash with Lusaka Dynamos at Independence Stadium in Lusaka and Nakambala Leopards will be home in Mazabuka to Forest Rangers.
John Munkonje will make his debut as head coach this afternoon when he takes charge of Konkola Blades home game against bottom-placed National Assembly at Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe.