…as Mufulira Wanderers date Red Arrows
By MICHAEL MIYOBA
NAPSA Stars’ quest to pick their first win of the season will come under tough test when they host league leaders Zanaco FC in a Lusaka derby at Woodlands Stadium.
After four games played in the Super League, the Pensioners have struggled with two defeats and two draws and the game against the Bankers could be a turning point for the Perry Mutapa-drilled side.
However, the Week-5 fixture will not be a walk in the park for the Pensioners who are 15th on the Super League table because Zanaco, led by experienced coach Wedson “Wada” Nyirenda will be fighting to maintain top spot on the log.
The Bankers are unbeaten with two wins and two draws from the first four games played so far.
“We are really ready to play against the log leaders Zanaco. Obviously, they are full of confidence and they want to continue with their good run. We are yet to taste victory and last week we almost got the much-needed win and so we are looking forward to the game against Zanaco,” Mutapa said in a pre-match interview.
Mutapa said beating Zanaco will boost the morale of the Pensioners who are determined to start rising on the league table.
“Zanaco has improved with an experienced coach in Wedson Nyirenda and I think from the start of the season we have been unlucky but the goodness is that we are moving up on the log from the last position to second last and now we are now fourth from bottom so we just want to get a win, it will be a morale booster to kick-start our campaign where the players will have the confidence to soldier on,” Mutapa said.
For Nyirenda, who guided Zanaco to a 1-0 beating of Mufulira Wanderers last weekend, the derby against Napsa will not be easy for the Bankers who are still missing the services of defensive midfielder Isaac Shamujompa and striker Chawanangwa who are nursing injuries.
Meanwhile, Prison Leopards and Kabwe Warriors will lock horns in a Kabwe derby at the Godfrey Ucar Chitalu Stadium.
Prison Leopards will be aiming to bounce back to winning ways after the painful 2-1 defeat to Kansanshi Dynamos while Warriors, who snatched a crucial stalemate against Napsa last weekend will be fighting for their second win after going two games without victory.
At Shinde Stadium, “Mighty” Mufulira Wanderers will seek redemption when they host rejuvenated Red Arrows who defeated Trident FC in their previous fixture.
Trident who are still searching for their first win have a date against Mutondo Stars at
Nkana Stadium in Kitwe while Nkwazi will welcome Kansanshi Dynamos at Edwin Imboela Stadium in Lusaka.
Meanwhile, after giving Nkana their first point of the season following a 1-1 stalemate against Muza on Wednesday, Ian Bakala will face another tricky test when Nkana face Forest Rangers who are seeking to bounce back from last weekend’s defeat to Mutondo Stars.
Struggling Konkola Blades will play host to Green Buffaloes at Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe while tomrrow’s Super League action will see Green Eagles and FC Muza facing off in a Southern Province derby at Independence Stadium in Choma.
Defending champions Power Dynamos have a tricky date against rejuvenated Zesco United who thumped Konkola Blades 3-0 in the previous fixture.
