By NDINAWE SIMPELWE –
BOTH Dynamos clubs will be eyeing top position in today’s MTN/FAZ Super League Week 25 fixtures. Power Dynamos have a tricky tie against unpredictable Red Arrows while Lusaka Dynamos host the ever improving Green Eagles. Champions Zanaco continue their revival to retain the title with a home tie against struggling Nchanga Rangers.
Power vs Arrows
THIRD on the table with 42 points, Power will want to take advantage of the top two sides, Zesco and Green Buffaloes, who face each other tomorrow, to go to the summit of the table with a win against Arrows.
The clash will be fought more on the technical bench than on the pitch as this fixture brings together two of the country’s best tacticians in Dan Kabwe and Honor Janza.
Arrows coach Honour Janza says he expects a tough game because both were big teams but would approach it with a positive mind.
“It will be a highly tactical game and I know the players will also want to get something from this match. So expect a very good game,” Janza said.
Kabwe on the other hand was unhappy after dropping points against Zesco on Wednesday in scoreless stalemate in rescheduled match.
The coach will hope Alex Ng’onga finds his scoring boots again as the striker has been in top form since rejoining the club.
Dynamos vs Eagles
AFTER a clean sweep against Ndola based sides, Lusaka Dynamos was brought down by Arrows last week which stopped the Patrick Phiri tutored side’s surge to the top.
Dynamos, who are slowly becoming the talk of the league will hope to bounce back with a win against Green Eagles who are going through a positive transformation of their own.
The combination of Fwayo Tembo and Cletus Chama has brought magic in the Dynamos team while league leading scorer Chris Mugalu looks ever hungry for goals which is not good news for Eagles coach Aggrey Chiyangi.
Chiyangi’s experience has been seen in the good football Eagles has been playing of late and will prove to be a tricky opponent for Dynamos.
However, Chiyangi needs to find a winning formula for his side as their two wins in five games is not a good enough.
Zanaco vs Nchanga
THE defending champions returned to winning ways in a rescheduled fixture against Real Nakonde on Wednesday and they will hope to remain consistent when they host another struggling side Nchanga Rangers today.
Coach Mumamba Numba will be happy to have a full squad today after the return of all national team players.
Rangers are still fighting battles on many fronts and it is becoming difficult everyday to see the team get away from relegation.
The impounding of their bus by bailiffs was the latest misfortune for the team and coach Evans Sakala has to find a way to motivate the team to beat Zanaco away from home.
It’s a fixture that will bring emotions for Zanaco players such as Toaster Nsabata, Ricahard Kasonde and George Chilufya who left the Chingola side to join the Bankers.
Nkwazi vs Forest
THIS tie brings together two teams that are almost evenly matched as the they are separated by one point and are on 11th and 12th position on the table.
Nkwazi suffered a 3-1 defeat against Buildcon to drop to 11th position in their last game while Forest lost 2-0 to Dynamos.
As they face each other today Nkwazi will be under pressure for a win as they will be playing at home.
Nkwazi coach Albert Mpande has a minor concern on striker Justin Shonga who picked up a knock in the game against Buildcon as the player’s fatigue is slowly getting the best of him.
Lumwana vs Nakambala
LUMWANA are doing everything possible to survive relegation and have done well so far leaving the dog fight to other teams.
But the Mazabuka based side is not far away from the red zone and should lose away to Lumwana today pressure will mount on the team.
Lumwana on the other hand have proven that the performance in their debut season in the Super League was not a fluke.
The side has instantly established itself as a mid-table club and coach Zeddy Saileti will be expected to get a win at home today.
Warriors vs Wanderers
IN the past, this fixture could have been the talk of the week as both side were always title contenders.
However hard times at both clubs have reduced them to mere perennial relegation survivors and it is the same even this season.
Wanderers despite their legendary name find themselves third from the bottom with only 20 points while Warriors follow them immediately on 18th position with 22 points.
Wanderers moved Wilson Mwale and elevated Justin Chinama to help the team beat relegation and the coach made an immediate impact beating Real Nakonde in his first assignment..