By ELIAS CHIPEPO –
‘MEN At Work’ Diggers will today be out to consolidate their lead at the summit of the 2014 Buildcon/Zambia Rugby Union (ZRU) national league when they host inconsistent Nkwazi.
Today’s Week Eight fixtures sees champions Red Arrows excused from local action against Chibuluma after getting an invitation to compete in an invitational tournament in South Africa.
The airmen absence might see Diggers, with 24 points, open up a five point lead at the helm of the table or even six should the Kitwe side win with a bonus points.
Elsewhere, former champions ‘Powerhouse’ Lusaka are away to Roan hoping to record a second successive win while Green Buffaloes hope to cripple Green Eagles when the two defence forces clash in Lusaka.
Diggers v Nkwazi
Morale should be high in the Diggers camp following last week emphatic win over title rivals Arrows and will be aiming to continue with that momentum when they face a Nkwazi side they humbled 22-16 in the reverse fixture.
Nkwazi have had an average season so far winning and losing three matches to be on 12 points and the ‘Policemen’ will need to be at their level best to overcome Diggers at their home turf.
Diggers will rely on usual match winners in Beneya Mukwamba, Patrick Chanda, Fine Chikumbi, Paston Kasonde and Billy Maipambe to win the match with a bonus point.
Roan v Lusaka
Coach Joshua Lungu will be happy taking his Lusaka side to Luanshya at a time when the former league winners have found their winning formula following last weekend win over Buffaloes.
Last week’s 24-12 win over Buffaloes was Lusaka’s first after enduring a miserable run of three successive defeats and will hope to compound Roan woes today.
Roan have only managed one victory this season but the home side will want to dent Lusaka’s surge with a home win having lost 24-10 to Eagles last week.