By SHAMAOMA MUSONDA –
SHOCK early pacesetters, Green Eagles have a chance this afternoon to prove that their ascendancy to the top of the 2015 MTN Premier Division League table was no fluke when they visit as exciting Napsa Stars in Lusaka.
With champions, Zesco United and 2014 runners-up, Power Dynamos, excused from local league action this weekend due to continental assignments, focus will be on Eagles as the Choma-based aim to build on their last two victories.
Zesco were supposed to visit Nakambala Leopards in Mazabuka today while Green Buffaloes were expected to host Power in Lusaka.
While Napsa will be welcoming Eagles at Woodlands Stadium, Red Arrows face off with joint second-placed Konkola Blades in this action-packed Week Three clashes.
Napsa v Eagles
Green Eagles coach Justin Chinama has put together an exciting group of players at this Choma based side and has got off the blocks in the 2015 football season at lightning speed and is deservedly soaring above all in the league.
An opening day win away to Nkwazi was followed up with a home win over fierce rivals, Green Buffaloes, leaving Chinama happy that unlike last year, his team is able to keep a clean sheet and also scoring.
But this afternoon at Woodlands Stadium, Eagles come up against a Napsa Stars side that started with a win and fell to a loss but still remains one of the sides to look out for this season.
Chinama and his rival today, Hector Chilombo, the Zambia Under-20 coach, like working with the youth as seen in their squads though Eagles will be without injured national under-20 vice-captain, Spencer Sautu.
Napsa knows that after losing to Zesco in the previous fixture, they can not afford any more bloopers and playing Eagles especially at home is an opportunity to make up lost ground.
Chilombo’s charges will first have to deal with Adam Mulawo, Mwila Mwelwa and Chansa Katongo among others with Boyd Mkandawire expected to marshal the defence as Eagles try to keep the first clean sheet this year.
Arrows v Blades
Both perched in joint second position on four points and two behind Eagles, this is one game Red Arrows and Konkola Blades will have to pick up a win to gain early ground in season.
Arrows are looking good already this year after a near-disastrous 2014 season and have so far claimed the scalp 12-time champions, Nkana on the opening day before a 1-1 draw against Nchanga Rangers.
This afternoon Arrows come up against a Blades side known for its attractive football and also on a high after a relatively good start to the season after claiming a win over Mufulira Wanderers and drawing with Nkana.
Looking at the cautious approach seen from both sides this far, this match at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka has a draw written all over it.
Dynamos v Forest
This is an opportunity for Lusaka Dynamos and Forest Rangers to get off the mark after both fell to losses in the opening two matches and have yet to score a goal this season.
Early signs however, do not look good for either side but it will be in this dogfight that they will show some bite which can take them through the challenging times ahead.
Tomorrow, Nkana will host Nkwazi in Kitwe while Mufulira Wanderers will play their first home match at Shinde Stadium when they face National Assembly.
The other Week Three match tomorrow will see Nchanga Rangers take on Zanaco in Chingola.