Sat, 16 Sep 2017 09:05:05 +0000
…as “Yamoto” date NAPSA
By Michael Miyoba
THE MTN/FAZ Super Division returns to action this afternoon with a clash of the titans between leaders Zanaco and second placed Green Buffaloes taking centre stage at the 60,000 capacity National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.
With both teams itching to collect maximum points to open a three- point lead at the summit, fans anticipate a mouthwatering encounter as the two sides are tied at 50 points but the bankers have a better goal difference over the soldiers.
Numba Mumamba’s boys will however seek to redeem themselves after wobbling to a 1-nil defeat by police sponsored Nkwazi in a rescheduled week 17 fixture played at Edwin Imboela Stadium three days ago.
In an interview in Lusaka ahead of today’s clash, Mumamba said Buffaloes is a strong squad in the race for the league supremacy.
He however noted that his charges are ready for the Army sponsored side as they have equally prepared for the top of the bill showdown.
“After having faced Nkwazi in midweek, we face Green Buffaloes who are a very good side as well but we have prepared for them and I think we are ready,” Mumamba said.
Green Buffaloes will seek to maintain their perfect run in the league having recorded back-to-back victories over City of Lusaka and NAPSA Stars with 1-nil score lines in the last two league matches.
Meanwhile third placed Power Dynamos will seek to end their disappointing streak of three draws in a row when they face Konkola Blades at Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe this afternoon.
Power will target maximum points after drawing 1-1 against Mufulira Wanderers last weekend to keep alive their hopes of continental football next season.
It is likely to be an uphill race for the struggling hosts who, on the other hand, will mull using home ground advantage to collect all the three points to brighten their chances of escaping the relegation zone. Blades have so far proved not too sharp as they lie 18th on the log with a paltry 23 points after 27 matches.
At Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka, Coach Linos Makwaza will plot his second win as NAPSA Stars standing-in coach when his charges face relegation threatened City of Lusaka.
After impressing in his first assignment as caretaker coach, following the club’s sending of head coach Tenant Chilumba on forced leave, Makwaza hopes to bag maximum points to maintain NAPSA’s 100 percent record under his reign.
But City, under the mentorship of Italian coach Roberto Landi, will yearn for an outright win to reignite their fading prospects of remaining in the top flight after an agonizing loss of five matches on the trot.
The Yamoto boys bubbled with confidence at the start of the season following their promotion to the super league but the going has been tough for the Woodlands Stadium side which sits at the bottom of the table with 11 points collected from two wins and five draws.
In other fixtures, 12- time league champions Nkana host Real Nakonde while big spenders Lusaka Dynamos have a date with Nakambala Leopards in Mazabuka.
At Shinde Stadium, Mufulira Wanderers will target to stop a determined Nkwazi side that is fizzling with certainty after humiliating defending champions Zanaco in a rescheduled midweek fixture on Wednesday.
After losing to Nakambala Leopards, struggling Kabwe Warriors face Nchanga Rangers who battled to a barren draw against not so Real Nakonde last weekend.
On Sunday, action returns to Nkoloma Stadium where Honor Janza’s Red Arrows will host a wounded Forest Rangers side that suffered a 4-3 defeat to NAPSA Stars last weekend.
