‘BIG 2’ LOCK HORNS
Chabinga
AFTER the successful resumption of the MTN/FAZ Super Division on Sunday, the league continues this afternoon as record league winners Nkana host “Sensational” Zanaco FC in a mouthwatering fixture at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe.
The tie which promises a lot of intriguing moments will be played without the presence of Nkana’s passionate supporters who will monitor the match on pay TV because the games are being played behind closed doors with no fans allowed.
Nkana are fifth on the 18-team league table with 43-points and a win over Zanaco will take the Manfred Chabinga-tutored Kitwe giants to the summit of the league table as they are three points behind the league leaders Forest Rangers.
“We are hoping for positive results. I was just telling the players the importance of the game looking at the log there is Forest, Eagles, NAPSA, Zesco and the differene is only three points so if we can win the game against Zanaco we will move to a better position on the log,” Chabinga said.
Though Nkana will be missing two of their key players in Musa Mohamed and Shadreck Musonda, Chabinga declared his team ready for the game against the bankers.
“The boys are focused and they know the importance of the game and the only player who is injured is Shadreck Musonda who has a cut and
Kaunda has been left out of the team.
“But all along I have been preaching about players being focused because of the position where we are and the remaining games, and the players know the importance, they know that the game against Zanaco is very critical and we need positive results,” Chabinga said.
Meanwhile, Zanaco coach Chris Kaunda will be hoping that his charges who are yet to taste defeat in the league since he was unveiled as coach, will replicate their brilliance which saw them outclass Nkana 2-1 at Sunset Stadium the last time the two team met in January.
“We shall approach the fixture just like any other normal game, and one thing for sure is that we are not under pressure, we are just looking forward to do what we do best. We are taking it one game at a time and all the games for us will be tough but we have to stay focused,” Kaunda said.
Kaunda has named a strong 22-member squad led by lethal top man Roger Kola, Chitiya Mususu and Moses Phiri while notable midfielders include, Charles Zulu, Kelvin Kapumbu and former Chipolopolo player William Njovu.
Defender Ziyo Tembo is expected to partner with Belchance Makiese, Tiberious Lombard, Lawrence Chungu in defence.
The bankers are tenth on the 18-team Super Division table, with 35 points and four games in hand and a win over Nkana will push them to seventh on the league table.