By MICHAEL MIYOBA
AFTER being excused from taking part in Super League action in the last three weeks due to the Covid-19 pandemic which had attacked the Red Arrows FC camp, the Airmen return to league action today to face Zanaco in a rescheduled Week-13 MTN/FAZ Super League fixture at Sunset Stadium in Lusaka.
The two sides will renew their rivalry with Zanaco seeking nothing but a win to claim the last ABSA Cup slot being occupied by Nkwazi FC.
The Bankers will need to beat Red Arrows 4-0 to break Nkwazi’s hearts and secure a top six first round finish to qualify for theABSA Cup.
The task is not an impossible one for the Bankers’ coach Kelvin Kaindu who is motivated by Zanaco’s previous win over Kabwe Warriors in their last game.
Kaindu said they are ready for Red Arrows despite the team having been hit with minor injuries.
“We are ready waiting for the fixture and trying to conclude on the unplayed games. We have just finished our training session and everyone looks ready.
“We have some minor knocks and Kelvin Kapumbu has been ruled out because of injury but the others have minor injuries and can play some minutes,” Kaindu said.
Kaindu is banking on top striker Moses Phiri to lead the attack in search of the needed goals to earn Zanaco the ABSA Cup slot.
“We know how important the ABSA Cup is and looking at our league it is a major trophy which is there to fight for. We still have some mathematical chances to qualify but maybe the only consolation is that we are hoping to replicate the form we have shown in the last few games,” Kaindu said.
“With the form we have displayed I think we are hoping that we can also showcase it tomorrow especially that we are playing Red Arrows,” he said.
Zanaco will also aim to end Red Arrows’ five-game winning streak when the two sides face off while Chisi Mbewe’s Airmen will fight for a win to reclaim second spot on the Super League table.
Arrows are unbeaten in the last 10 league games where they have collected 22 points from six wins and four draws
After their shocking 3-0 defeat to Kansanshi Dynamos in October, the Airmen have refused to drop points unnecessarily in their quest to challenge for the league title.
Zanaco will have to be wary of striker Rick Banda who has been in great form after combining well with veteran striker James Chamanga to score four goals in the last six games.
Last chance
…as Zanaco seek win to clinch ABSA slot
