By KALUMIANA KALUMIANA –
ZESCO United will officially be confirmed as 2015 MTN-FAZ Super League champions today, should they avoid defeat away to Forest Rangers in a Week 28 Ndola derby clash at Dola Hill.
With the title almost decided, battle for second position intensifies as Zanaco and third placed Power Dynamos fight for the remaining CAF Interclub competition slot for next year’s games.
Relegation skirmishes will also take centre stage with National Assembly, Nakambala Leopards, Konkola Blades and Napsa Stars eyeing victories to keep them afloat in the elite league.
Forest v Zesco
Zesco just need a point to record an unassailable lead from the 63 points they currently have and enjoying a nine point lead over second placed Zanaco to retain their title with two games to spare.
Zanaco, on 54 points, take on bottom placed Assembly and can only amass 63 points in their last three games.
However, Zesco face a psychological battle heading to 10th placed Forest, who are one of only two teams to have beaten them this season after a 2-1 result at Levy Stadium in the first leg.
Zesco coach ‘Chicken’ George Lwandamina will be banking on in-form striker Winston Kalengo, midfielder’s Clatous Chama and Mwape Mwelwa to inspire them and to also ensure they avenge that first leg home defeat.
Zanaco v Assembly
Zanaco continue their drive towards the realistic target of finishing second but will need to be wary of spoilers Assembly who can make things tough for the bankers.
The bankers host National Assembly and like Zesco’s game away at Forest, they too are looking for redemption against demoted Assembly.
Assembly embarrassed Zanaco 3-2 in June at Woodlands and a home draw will see their slim title hopes end to hand Zesco the 2015 trophy regardless of the latter’s result away at Forest.
Power v Eagles
Power return to action three weeks after Zesco ended their interest in the 2015 league title with a humiliating 3-0 bashing in Ndola on October 7.
Power host ninth positioned Green Eagles under-pressure to pick up a win and keep their interest in the race for the number two spot very much alive.
Meanwhile, the two sides last two meetings ended in draws and the last win went Power’s way in May, 2014 when they beat Eagles 1-0 in Kitwe.
Nakambala v Nkana
Nkana chase their first points after two successive defeats when they visit second from bottom Nakambala in Mazabuka.
Nakambala maybe fighting for their dear lives to escape the drop but Nkana must watch out for Patrick Phiri’s boys who are unbeaten in their last three games in which they have picked up five out of a possible nine points.
Meanwhile, in the rest of today’s Week 28 games that will all played in Lusaka, Green Buffaloes play Konkola Blades at Independence Stadium, Red Arrows visit Napsa Stars at Woodlands while, Lusaka Dynamos and Nkwazi meet at Edwin Emboela Stadium.