COACHES BATTLE FOR TOP DOG STATUS AT SUNSET.
Coaches Fighton Simukonda and Wedson Nyirenda face-off on Saturday when Zanaco and Zesco United clash in a Faz Premier League week 14 match at Sunset stadium in Lusaka.
A two-point gap separates the top-two clubs with leaders Zesco on 29 points while Zanaco are just an ear-shot away in 2nd spot on 27.
The winner on Saturday is sure to bag the early bragging rights as main title contender with this weekend’s game just one game away from the half-way point of the season.
This match is also probably Zesco’s biggest game to date who have not lost in eight successive league matches.
However, Zesco has yet to win away to Zanaco since they were promoted in 2004 where they have lost in three straight top-flight visits there.
Zesco’s cynics have continuously held the notion that the Ndola Juggernaut will shortly run out of steam and so the time has come for Nyirenda to stand up and be countered.
Meanwhile two players will be key to either side’s progress this weekend.
Zesco playmaker Rainford Kalaba who is also the leagues top scorer on 10 goals and is enjoying his best league form reminiscent of his days at Afrisports will be the key to keeping the visitors at the summit of the table.
Ex-Zambia international and Zanaco captain Numba Mumamba who is not far behind Kalaba in 2nd place with 9 goals and has scored 4 goals during the hosts current four match unbeaten league run will be depended upon to roll back the years with another one of his inspired performance.
And in the rest of the days other league fixtures, 3rd placed Dynamos face Nchanga Rangers in Chingola while Konkola Blades travel to 8th positioned Green Buffaloes.
Warriors are at troubled Power Dynamos with the former under new coach Arnold Mtonga and the latter awaiting the imminent arrival of new boss Fodson Kabole.
At Woodlands stadium, 6th placed City of Lusaka await once high-flying and 7th from top Young Arrows and at Nkoloma, Red Arrows hosting National Assembly.
Improving Roan United travel to Forest Rangers while bottom of the table Zamtel FC under new coach Levy “Chabby” Chabala are home to Nakambala Leopards.
FAZ DIVISION 1 FIXTURES.
WEEK 13.
20/05/2007.
NORTH.
Prison Leopards- Konkola Mine Police.
Kalewa- Chindwin Sentries.
Kitwe United-INDENI.
Police Blue Eagles- Ndola United.
Medical Stars- Afrisports.
Mufulira Blackpool- Chambishi.
Muchindu- Mufulira Wanderers.
SOUTH.
Riflemen- Chilanga Heroes.
Zamcoal Diggers- Young Arrows.
Nkwazi- Profund Warriors.
Lusaka Tigers- Builders Brigade.
Nampundwe- Kambuku Warriors.
Livingstone Pirates- ZNS Green Eagles.
Kalomo Jetters- Communite.
WHY IS NUMBA MUMAMBA NOT CONSIDERED FOR THE NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM? THE COACHES SHOULD CONVINCE HIM TO COME BACK TO THE NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM FOR THE LAST TIME.HE CAN ADD VALUE TO THE TEAM.
We appreciate Numba mumamba’s sevices as a nation,but this is no time to look back.Its high time we groom the young talent,who will lead Zambia to the 2010 world cup.
2010,its a long story.
This could be out of bounds, but Chelsea has won Manchester United,it is great to see African talent like Drogba,Kalou,Makelele etc perform greatly well.
I believe that the Zambian players too can do well on the international stage,only problem is that they all want to show they are the best,and show no unity in playing soccer amongst themselves for the sake of international contracts.