By SHAMAOMA MUSONDA –

CHAMPIONS Zesco United will today go nine points clear at the top of the MTN-FAZ Super League table if they win a grudge match against Nkwazi at Edwin Imboela Stadium in Lusaka.
Zesco will be seeking revenge against Nkwazi when they clash in a Week 23 match which was rescheduled after the league leaders had about four players out on international duty.
The four-time league winners, who want to avenge a 1-2 loss they suffered at home to Nkwazi in the reverse fixture, made a positive return to action by winning both the league and Barclays Cup matches.
Zesco battered National Assembly 3-1 in Ndola in a league tie before bashing Kabwe Warriors 2-0 in the Barclays Cup quarter final last Sunday, leaving them confident of retaining the league and cup titles.
‘Chicken’ George Lwandamina’s men stand tall on 55 points, six clear of Zanaco.
Zesco have been in imperious form this year, losing just twice.
Going by their form, 12 wins from the last 14 games and having drawn the other two, Zesco look like overwhelming favourites for this match.
However, Zesco are quickly reminded that one of the two losses this year was handed down on them by Elijah Chikwanda’s Nkwazi.
Forest Rangers is the other team that has defeated Zesco this term.
After a bad patch that saw them fall to two straight 1-0 defeats, Nkwazi recovered well by winning their last two matches including one that sent them to the semi-finals of the Barclays Cup.
Zesco are meeting Nkwazi at a time when the Zambia Police outfit seem comfortable meeting the Ndola side as they have got back the zest that could help them get a rare double over Lwandamina’s men.
Lwandamina will be banking on sharp-shooters, Winston Kalengo and Jackson Mwanza who have been firing goals almost on a weekly basis.
But Nkwazi, 19 points behind Zesco, are not as proficient and have a dependable scorer in Lottie Nyimbili with assistance from an astute midfielder, Noah Nyirenda.