By ELIAS CHIPEPO and KALUMIANA KALUMIANA in Mbabane

MTN-FAZ Premier League champions, Nkana will open their 2014 campaign on March 15 with an away fixture at promoted side Green Eagles while Power Dynamos have been handed seemingly tough match against Kabwe Warriors.

And midfielder Bruce Musakanya had been dropped from the squad that leaves for Swaziland today as he is not fully fit after an injury layoff.

Last season runners-up Zesco United have a derby against another promoted side Indeni with another derby pitting National Assembly and Zanaco while Red Arrows will be up against Nakambala Leopards.

Roan United kick off their 2014 season with a match against Nchanga Rangers as Konkola Blades will host Napsa Stars while Green Buffaloes have a date against Konkola Mine Police.

And the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has expressed concerns at the clubs failure to register the players ahead of the opening of the season. Spokesperson Erick Mwanza said only Nkana and Arrows have managed to register while other clubs had not done so.

“We are wondering as to whether these other clubs have no players because it is only Nkana and Arrows who have registered players. Let us avoid doing things at the last minute as the case was with the sim card registration process,” he said.

Meanwhile, Nkana coach Masauso Mwale has named his squad ahead of departure for Swaziland where the Zambian champions play Mbabane Swallows in a CAF Champions League preliminary round, first leg clash.

The team has goalkeepers Charles Mweemba and Rabson Mucheleng’anga with defenders been Billy Mwanza, Donashano Malama, Billy Mwanza, Derrick Mwansa, Christopher Munthali, Masauso Zimba and Maybin Chishimba.

Midfielders are Kelvin Mubanga, Simon Blwaya, Lottie Phiri, Sidney Kalume, Claude Bwalya, Frank Chibuye while the strikers Lottie Nyimbiri, Ronald ‘Sate Sate’ Kampamba, Shadreck Musonda, Jimmy Njobvu and Francis Kombe.

And a six man advance party yesterday left for Mbabane led by technical committee chairman Davies Mwaba, assistant coach Gift Kampamba, club secretary Ken Mwansa and treasurer Alex Munashana.

Others are business manager Chanda Lubindo, Chikwelete who is a committee member.

Mwansa said from Swaziland that the delegation party left ahead of the team, to be led by FAZ executive committee Kelvin Mutafu, to ensure that everything was in place.