By GWEN CHIPASULA –
MTN-FAZ Premier Division new boys Lumwana Radiants have been handed the worst possible start to their maiden top league appearance after the fixtures paired them against six-time and league defending champions Zesco United in Week-One.
The league kicks off on March 12.
According to fixtures released yesterday, Lumwana Radiants, who defied odds to become the first side from North-Western Province to make the top flight league, seemingly drew the short straw for the opening week where they go to Ndola.
Zesco have won the league in the last two seasons and look like the team to beat this year with Lumwana needing to dig deep to get something from this match.
As if that is not enough for the newcomers, Lumwana host a formidable Red Arrows in Week-Two with this start telling them they will have to fight every week in order to survive the torrid life in the top league.
Their first competitive encounter with a premier side last year saw them lose 3-0 to Zanaco in the Barclays Cup last year.
Another promotion side Mufulira Blackpool, back in top flight football for the first time in 16 years, start life on an easier note with a home tie against Lusaka Dynamos who barely survived demotion back to Division-One.
Lusaka Tigers, also back in the top league after 15 years will have a rough start in a Lusaka derby where they will host six-time champions Nchanga Rangers with a similar tough test awaiting Kabwe Warriors who host Zanaco in Kabwe.
Another six-time champion Power Dynamos will play Napsa Stars while Forest Rangers host Mufulira Wanderers with Red Arrows opening its 2016 account with a date against Nakambala Leopards.
Barclays Cup champions Green Buffalos start the year with a defence force derby against Green Eagles in Choma while 12-tiem league champions Nkana travel to Lusaka to play Zambia Police outfit Nkwazi.
Week-One
Power v Napsa
Tigers v Nchanga
Zesco v Lumwana
Warriors v Zanaco
Arrows v Nakambala
Blackpool v Dynamos
Eagles v Buffaloes
Forest v Wanderers
Nkwazi v Nkana
Week-Two
Nchanga v Power
Napsa v Zesco
Zanaco v Tigers
Lumwana v Arrows
Dynamos v Warriors
Nakambala v Forest
Buffaloes v Blackpool
Wanderers v Nkwazi
Nkana v Eagles
