Tue, 28 Mar 2017 11:20:41 +0000
By Michael Miyoba
| THE Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has announced that the 2017 league season will kick off with the semi-finals of the Samuel ‘‘Zoom’’ Ndlovu Charity Shield on March 30 and not Wednesday the 29th of March as earlier announced. |
In an interview with the Daily Nation Sports in Lusaka, FAZ communications manager Desmond Katongo said that the tournament, which involves league champions Zanaco, Zesco United, holders Power Dynamos and Nkana will be played at Power’s home ground, the Arthur Davis Stadium.
Katongo noted that the change of date has been necessitated by Zesco’s involvement in the CAF Confederation Cup tournament.
“Yes, the semi-final of the Samuel ‘Zoom’ Ndlovu Charity Shield will be played on Thursday March 30 as a double header and will not be played on Wednesday as earlier announced. The venue remains Arthur Davis Stadium in Kitwe,” Katongo said.
“The change has been necessitated due to Zesco United’s involvement in the CAF Confederation Cup tournament. We want to give them an opportunity to prepare for the upcoming Confederations Cup matches,” he added.
Zesco United is between the 7th and the 9th of April scheduled to take on the Nigerian giants Enugu Rangers in the quest to qualify for the group stages of the CAF Confederation Cup.
Katongo said that the winners of the semi-finals will qualify for the final to be played on Sunday April 2, 2017, at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
“The winners of the two semi-final matches will clash in the final on Sunday at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola,” Katongo said.
Holders Power Dynamos will take on Zesco United in an early kick-off semi-final while Zanaco will play Nkana in the second semi-final game which will kick off at 15:15 hours at Arthur Davis Stadium.
Proceeds of the Charity Shield are donated by the Republican President to a charity of his choice on behalf of the Zambian football family under the guidance of the Football Association of Zambia.
