By KALUMIANA KALUMIANA –
AFTER a two-week winter break, the 2014 MTN-FAZ Premier Division League returns today for the final stretch with holders Nkana resuming their title defence when they host Green Eagles in a Week 16 game in Kitwe.
The third-placed side return home following their resounding 3-1 away win over Nchanga Rangers on July 12 in a match that was overshadowed by speculation that coach Zeddy Saileti was going to be fired.
Now that dust has settled after that episode, Saileti has gone back to plotting Nkana’s title defence with a date with Eagles against whom they have a score to settle.
Eagles held Nkana to a scoreless draw in Choma on March 15 in the defending champions’ first league game of the season.
“For us the objective is to defend the league of course, but we know that it will be tough,” Saileti said.
The game is expected to mark ex-Konkola Blades defender Amos Simwanza’s first home match after making an impressive debut against Rangers last week.
“We have acquired some players with fresh legs like Amos and they are going to bring a new dimension to our style of play,” Saileti said.
A win will keep Nkana in the top three where they are hoping to keep pace with leaders Zanaco and Zesco United who are tied on 33 points heading into this afternoon’s matches.
Zanaco, meanwhile, are home and host a depleted National Assembly who have lost four key players including their top scorer Peter Mwangani who has six goals and believed to be at Indeni.
The two sides first leg meeting in March that saw Assembly rally to draw 2-2.
“Playing Zanaco has always been tough it has always been a tough game all things being equal we will be able to withstand the pressure,” Assembly coach George Kapembwa said. Zesco have a tough engagement against Indeni in an unpredictable Ndola derby.
And in the day’s other Week 16 games, Konkola Blades visit Napsa Stars and Green Buffaloes visit Konkola Mine Police in Chililabombwe. Dean Mwiinde makes his Roan United debut on the bench when they face Nchanga Rangers away while Nakambala Leopards host Red Arrows in Mazabuka. Tomorrow, Kabwe Warriors host Power Dynamos.
