By MICHAEL MIYOBA
With Trident FC and Konkola Blades having already secured promotion to the FAZ Super League, the chase for the remaining two slots enters its final stage today as Mutondo Stars, Mufulira Wanderers and City of Lusaka fight for a return to Zambia’s elite football league.
Mutonda Stars who are third on the National Division one league table with 55 points are determined to make a maiden appearance in the Super League.
The Zeddy Saileti drilled Kitwe outfit hosts Young Green Buffaloes in their final game of an intriguing season and victory is a must for them to play Super League football come next season.
After losing their previous fixture 1-0 to City of Lusaka two weeks ago before the ABSA Cup final break, Mutondo will seek redemption to get the needed win to win promotion as the best third ranked team in the national division league.
“We still have one more game and we believe we can get the maximum points. The chances are there, we just need to win the last game so that we are comfortable,” Mutondo Stars coach Zeddy Saileti said in an interview.
Saileti believes Mutondo will do everything possible to achieve their objective of winning promotion as they are ready for Super League football.
“We will be ready for the Super League it is what we want and we are working on it. If we have to reinforce, we will reinforce but at the moment I think we are ready,” Saileti said.
Meanwhile, Mufulira Wanderers and City of Lusaka will fight for the other promotion spot as they face Konkola Blades and Kafue Celtics , respectively.
City of Lusaka who are fifth on the log with 53 points will pray that promoted Konkola Blades beats fourth placed Mufulira Wanders to win promotion.
However, after recording a humiliating 4-2 defeat to Atletico Lusaka in their last fixture, Mighty will fight hard to redeem themselves to win promotion ahead of Yamoto who were relegated from the Super League in 2017.
In the relegation dogfight, Aguila Stars, Livingstone Pirates and Atletico Lusaka are in danger of dropping into the provincial leagues.
Aguila who are facing Mpulungu today will need a miracle to survive because a win will not be enough to secure survival if Livingstone Pirates and Atletico Lusaka beat Kitwe United and Kafue Eagles, respectively.
In the other games, National Division One Champions Trident FC will host Jemulo FC while Zesco Malaiti will end the season with a clash against Indeni. Relegated Barts FC and Lusaka Dynamos will face off in the final Division one fixture as they both prepare to play provincial league football next season.
FULL WEEK-34 FIXTURES
- Trident vs Jumulo
- Kafue Celtics vs City of Lusaka
- Mufulira Wanderers vs Konkola Blades
- Aguila Stars vs Mpulungu Harbour
- Kafue Eagles vs Atletico
- Zesco Malaiti vs Indeni
- Livingstone Pirates vs Kitwe United
- Barts vs Lusaka Dynamos
- Mutondo Stars vs Young Buffaloes
