By NDINAWE SIMPELWE –
ZANACO have another shot to climb to the summit of the MTN/FAZ Super League on goal difference when they host stubborn Nkwazi at Sunset Stadium while Power Dynamos can go to third position with a home win against Kabwe Warriors as the MTN/FAZ Super League enters week 15.
Champions and third-placed Zesco United face league leaders Nkana tomorrow in Kitwe while the defence forces derby between Green Buffaloes and Red Arrows is on tomorrow at Independence Stadium.
Zanaco v Nkwazi
Zanaco blew their chance to close up on Nkana last weekend but suffered a 1-0 loss away to resurgent Forest Rangers. The defeat was Zanaco’s first this season which left them in second position, three points behind leaders Nkana.
The Numba Mumamba tutored side gets another shot to lead the table with a tricky home tie against sixth-placed Nkwazi who have been enjoying good form.
Mumamba said the team had already moved on from the disappointing defeat against Forest and were focused on beating Nkwazi.
“We have already done the psyching, there is no pressure at all. We just have to go out there and play our game. Nkwazi is not a team we can underrate so we will face them just like we are facing a big team,” said Mumamba.
Zanaco will welcome goalkeeper Racha Kola and midfielder Salulani Phiri who missed last week’s game as they were with the national team in Guinea-Bissau while Toaster Nsabata is still out.
On the other hand, Nkwazi will have their head coach Elijah Chikwanda available for the tie. He also missed the team’s goalless draw against Nchanga Rangers last week.
Zanaco have 25 points from 12 matches while Nkwazi  have 20 points from 14 matches.
Power v Warriors
Power have finally employed a new coach in Dan Kabwe and look set to re-launch their title ambitions starting with a home tie against unpredictable Kabwe Warriors.
The Power hierarchy is yet to officially unveil Kabwe as their coach, but the experienced tactician is expected to be on the bench this afternoon.
Power’s undoing this season has been their inconsistencies which have left them with 21 points after 14 games, which is below par for the Kitwe giants.
But today they know a win will put them in a good position on third and mount pressure on the pace-setters and come back in the picture for title contenders.
Warriors, with 20 points from 14 matches, are lying seventh but are yet to stamp their authority on the league.
Coach Muhammad Fathy needs to find a winning formula quickly to avoid landing the team in pressure of relegation battles.
Dynamos v Forest
Coach Patrick Phiri has worked wonders since taking charge of Forest and they now look comfortable and capable of picking results anywhere which should worry their hosts Lusaka Dynamos today.
Forest have beaten the league’s big boys Zanaco and Zesco which has boosted their confidence and they should not have too much trouble to dispatch Dynamos this afternoon.
It will be an emotional return for Perry Mutapa who left Dynamos to join Forest and though he has a soft spot for the Lusaka side, beating them will be the only thing on his mind.
A win for Dynamos will see them move away from the relegation zone to go to ninth position should other results favour them.
Other fixtures today will see Nakambala Leopards hosting Lumwana Radiants, who are fresh from beating Green Buffaloes 2-0; Lusaka Tigers welcome Mufulira Blackpool at Independence Stadium as Green Eagles visit Nchanga Rangers in Chingola.