…as Zanaco take on Zesco in clash of titans
By MICHAEL MIYOBA
EXPERIENCED gaffers Wedson Nyirenda and “Chicken” George Lwandamina will face off today when Sensational Zanaco FC and Zesco United renew their rivalry in an MTN Zambia Premier League’s Week-10 fixture.
The lunchtime kick off of the double header at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka promises sparks as both teams will be seeking to bounce back to winning ways after last weekend’s disappointing results.
While Zanaco were fortunate to pick a 1-1 draw against defending champions Power Dynamos, Zesco United were humbled by Kabwe Warriors who left Ndola with maximum three points following a 2-1 victory.
Zesco United are the favourites going into today’s game but Nyirenda is not worried because the Bankers have done their homework to be able to get a positive result.
“We have done everything and the team looks set for the game,” Nyirenda said.
“We are not under pressure, for games of this magnitude it is easier to plan because you are playing a team coached by a coach who knows what he is doing and you can see what they do, you know what they do and you see the pattern of play which the coach puts in place, its easier to say we are going to do this because we have seen them do this and all that depends on the game and the determination of the players and the application,” Nyirenda said.
For Lwandamina, today’s fixture is crucial for him to redeem himself after the embarrassing loss to Numba Mumamba’s Kabwe Warriors last weekend.
Meanwhile, in the second fixture of the double header at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka, struggling Power Dynamos will face another tough test when they take on the league leaders Red Arrows without their head coach Mwenya Chipepo who is alleged to have resigned after last weekend’s draw against Zanaco.
At the Godfrey Chitalu Stadium in Kabwe, second-placed Kabwe Warriors will hope to beat Green Buffaloes to maintain the top two slot on the league table.
Motivated by the victory over Zesco, Warriors will aim to maintain their winning streak after beating Zesco, Power and Konkola Blades in the last three fixtures.
Getting a win over Buffaloes is not an easy task for Warriors because Buffaloes are also enjoying a good run after beating Power and Green Eagles before the 1-1 stalemate against Kansanshi Dynamos last weekend.
In the other fixtures scheduled for today, Mutondo Stars will seek redemption from last weekend’s defeat to Nkwazi when they host struggling Konkola Blades at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe while Trident will continue their search for a first win when they play Mufulira Wanderers at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe.
Forest Rangers will welcome Napsa Stars at the Dola Hill Stadium in Ndola while unbeaten FC Muza will take on Prison Leopards at Nakambala Stadium in Mazabuka.
Kansanshi Dynamos will tomorrow host Green Eagles at Nchanga Stadium in Chingola while Kitwe giants Nkana will fight to maintain their winning run after last weekend’s 1-0 win over Prison Leopards when they host High Flying Nkwazi FC at Woodlands Lusaka.
