By KALUMIANA KALUMIANA –
ZESCO United visit Green Eagles at the Independence Stadium in Choma with the finish line in sight and the gleaming new 2015 MTN/FAZ Super League crown waiting and perched across the line.
With second-placed Zanaco out of action till tomorrow, Power Dynamos will be hoping to move into second position with a win over bottom-placed National Assembly as Green Buffaloes’ good run faces a Nkana test at Woodlands Stadium.
Eagles v Zesco
To borrow from Zesco coach ‘Chicken’ George Lwandamina’s own words, the scanty aroma of the 2015 title is getting stronger in his nostrils heading to Choma this weekend.
A victory for Zesco and a defeat for Zanaco at home against Konkola Blades on Sunday will hand Lwandamina’s side the title with four games to spare on what will be an unassailable 62 points, thanks to their healthy goal difference.
Zesco have 59 points while second-placed Zanaco are on 50 points with Power in third position on 48 points.
However, Zesco have not won in Choma since September 2012 when they beat their hosts 2-0 before losing 3-1 there last season. Interestingly, this will be Zesco’s third successive away game after winning their last two against Nkwazi and Nchanga Rangers.
Lwandamina will look up to the likes of on-fire Winston Kalengo, play-marker Clatous Chama, Mwape Mwelwa and Lazarous Kambole while Justin Chinama will bank on Adamson Mulawo, Mwila Phiri Jr, Mathews Tembo and Ndashe Mateyo to stun their visitors.
Power v Assembly
Power host demotion-threatened Assembly at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe seeking their first win since August 29 when they beat Nkana 2-1 at the same venue.
Since then, the unconvincing Power have picked up three straight draws to see them with the only realistic chance of finishing at least second on the log while bottom-placed Assembly on the other hand will be demoted today if they lose to the Kitwe side.
Green v Nkana (15hrs)
A resurgent Buffaloes host Nkana in the late afternoon kick-off of the Woodlands Stadium doubleheader in Lusaka which will be beamed live on SuperSport.
Fourth-placed Buffaloes are unbeaten in their last eight games since losing 3-0 at home to Eagles on July 26 and they host a stuttering eighth-placed Nkana, who showed some character of old last week when they rallied to thump Lusaka Dynamos 4-1 in Kitwe.
Buffaloes also have revenge on their plans against Nkana who beat them 2-0 in Kitwe on May 30 but will need to keep the likes of Walter Bwalya, Simon Bwalya, Donashano Malama and Jimmy Ndhlovu from scoring.
Napsa v Wanderers (13hrs)
Fourth from bottom Napsa Stars continue their battle to try and remain in the top flight for a fourth straight season when they host sixth positioned ‘Mighty’ Mufulira Wanderers, who have secured their stay for the 2016 campaign.
Napsa will be wary of Wanderers who have won their last two away games and are chasing back-to-back wins over their hosts whom they beat 2-1 at Shinde Stadium on May 30.
Elsewhere today, Forest Rangers chase their second straight win when they host fellow promoted side Nkwazi at Dola Hill in Ndola while Nchanga Rangers visit second-from-bottom Nakambala Leopards in Mazabuka.