Zambia’s most popular team and 11 time league winners Nkana red devils tomorrow travel to Lusaka to face Zanaco in the top of bill of the week 9 KCM/FAZ Premier League matches.
Nkana have amassed nine points whereas the bankers have 12 points.
Flash back;Dejected Zanaco players leaving Nkoloma Stadium after 1-0 loss to Young Arrows
The Chamboli and Wusakile faithful who are set to fill Sunset Stadiuma, clad in their red scarves, flags and shirt with news that Patrick Phiri is back on the technical bench.
The soft spoken coach led Kalampa to their last two league titles in 1999 & 2001 and Phiri has reunited with prodigy son Gift Kampamba. Certainly Zambia’s most successful local coach, Phiri groomed Kampamba back then before the midfield maestro embarked on proffesional stints in Russia and South Africa.
But many fans at Sunset Stadium will be engrossed in the talents of budding ‘monster’ Moses Kapayi in the engine room. Kapayi started the Botswana game ahead of highly rated Zanaco’s Stophira Sunzu.
While as Chipolopolo coach Phiri confessed to have an eye (wanted to convince the player to change citizenship) on Congolese born striker and last season’s 15 goal hero Patrick Kabamba but this season its his countryman Ronald Skpjepki has caught the eye with two goals in return from the four Nkana has scored.
Zanaco centre back pairing of Kennedy Nkhetani and Charles Siyingwa should be sentient of the congolese duo. Former Zamtel fc and under-23 international Eugene Shamakamba is set to make his Zanaco debut at right back after the two clubs agreed the transfer fee.
Zanaco has one of the porous defences in the league that has shipped in 10 goals only three better than Green Eagles’ 13 goals.Teen striker Roger Kola is set to start upfront with Nasha Kaya while Chisamba Lungu and Ignitious Lwipa will occupy the flanks.
Luka Tembo, Yorum Mwila and Banda ‘Thiery’ Henry are still in South Africa.
Key Battle-Midfield
Stophira Sunzu v Gift Kampamba
Just 18 years old, the gangly and lively Sunzu(pictured) will do everything to stop Nkana’s offensive play. His interceptions, tackles and aerial strength will frustrate Kalampa staunch fans. His spread and defence splitting passing is second to none on his day.
Unlike the Sunzu, Gift Kampamba has past his time but once dubbed as the Midfield maestro during his peak, Kampamba hasn’t yet shown glimpse of what made him the darling of ‘The Brazilian,’ clique at Sundowns in South Africa.
Kampamba’s strength is creative with the defence splitting passes complimenting his game. Singled out by BBC Africa focus magazine as one of the players to watch at the 2002 African Cup of Nations, he is poised to have an influence on the out come of the game.
Both players announced their arrival on the scene at World Youth Cup. Kampamba in 1999 while Sunzu in 2007.
Player to Watch: Roger Kola
Another product of the class of 07’ Kola has scored four goals in six matches in the league. It looks like Zanaco’s route one football suits his aerial strength.
Zesco United v Red Arrows
Trade Fair Grounds, Ndola
‘Zescolo’ are missing the services of head coach, Wedson Nyirenda who is in Germany for a three week refresher coaching course.
Only four points separates the two teams and last weekend both teams were held to stalemates.
Red Arrows celebrating their Mosi Cup Triumph over Zesco las year
The defending Champions have just lost one game this season in league. The Ndola based side have depth in the squad especially upfront.
Hitman Enoch Sakala is yet to register a league goal this season but dinumitive Lottie Phiri has been impressive with three goals to his credit. Signs Chibambo and Elson M’kandawire have chipped in four goals between them.
In midfield, Liberian born Ben Martin is set to partner Portugal bound Rainford Kalaba while Nyambe Mulenga ,William Chinyama, Clive Hachilensa and Rogers Kamwandi will be protecting Jacob Banda in goal.
Red Arrows coach Mathews Phiri has survived the chop after he was given a one match ultimatum.
Former under-20 goalkeeper, Danny Munyao is still out injured.
Danny Sinyuni, Joseph Zimba and Goodson Kachinga will give cover to the understudy goalkeeper.
18 year old Lawrence Pondani and hard man, Richard Phiri will be in midfield.
The Lupiya brothers, Simon and Victor will start upfront with Stanley ‘Giggs’ Banda and Timothy Mbewe on the flanks.
Key Battle-Rainford Kalaba v Richard Phiri
Richard Phiri was one of the key members of 2007 World Youth Cup and in last year’s Mosi Cup final, he frustrated Kalaba and subsequently the former Afrisport player was substituted. Phiri is a claptrap and hard-hitting lad but against the ginger prince, he should count himself a luck boy if he wins this part 2 version.
Nkwazi v Green Eagles
Edwin Imboela Stadium, Lusaka.
Under-20 coach Oswald Mutapa Jr is slowly instilling confidence in the Police outfit side.
Veteran striker Edward ‘Bubble’ Kangwa is forming a formidable partnership with Manchester United confessed fan Keagan Phiri. They have three goals between them.
Nkwazi have nineth on the log with ten points.
On the other end, Green Eagles are joint top scorers with Zesco United on 12 goals but their defence has shipped in 13 goals-the worst in the league.
Player to Watch: Aubrey Zulu
He is the only player to have registered a hatrick in the league. Zulu is joint top scorer with Zanaco’s Roger Kola and Nchanga Rangers’ Mathews Macha.
Power Dynamos v City of Lusaka
Arthur Davies Stadium, Kitwe.
Giants Power Dynamos have found themselves in the relagation zone with eight points and last week the executive decided to keep veteran coach Fordson Kabole with the hope that he will turn things up.
After inspiring them to a 5-0 bashing of Zanaco, Kennedy Mudenda has found the expectation on his shoulders to much. Mudenda was a spectacle to watch against Lusaka Dynamos last week but the likes of Rotson Kilambe, Laughter Chilembi, Joseph Sitali and Mathews Kalunga are failing to compliment the efforts of the exciting wonder boy.
Winger Simon Bwalya should return after missing the Dynamos as he is on-loan from Queensmead stadium.
Influential midfielder Ian Bakala is scheduled to leave for Angola consequently ruling him out of this crash. Bakala is set to resign for Primero de Agosto.
‘City Ya Moto’ coach Fighton Simukonda will hope for goalkeeper Sydney Tembo to be in top form and Brian Lubaba to sneak a goal.
Young Arrows v Lusaka Dynamos
Nkoloma Stadium, Lusaka
Unbeaten league leaders Young Arrows have not registered a win in their last two matches but confident Arrows coach Alfred Mulao should be gunning for a victory against goal shy Lusaka Dynamos.
Both teams boast the best defences(allowed two goals) in the league with Hichani Himmonde and Whiteson Simwanza the pillars for Dynamos and Arrows respectively.
Dynamos are six points behind Arrows.
Captain Kruger Mwansa, N’gandwe Chomba, Judge M’kandawire and Lyainga Chiwanki are the key men for Arrows.
New Dynamos coach and former international defender Hector Chilombo will watch from the stands.
Thomas Mulendemena, Chabusha Malumani, William Njobvu and teen winger and under-20 call up Katongo Chalwe will be a handful for the airmen. Chalwe is a young brother of South African based former Zambia internationals brothers; Linos (Bay United), Sashi (FC AK) and Songwe (Moraka Swallows)
Perry Mutapa is still in South Africa attending trials at Amazulu while Njobvu is rated 50/50 chance.
Old timers’ pair, Masautso Tembo and Cosmos Banda are still to open their goal accounts.
Konkola Blades v Chambishi
Konkola Stadium, Chililabombwe.
This fixture might not be played because Konkola Stadium is undergoing rehabilitation in readness for the Zambia v Swaziland match in June.
Kabwe Warriors v Nchanga Rangers
Railway Grounds, Kabwe.
Emmanuel Mayuka will start upfront for Warriors with Siloni Jere supporting him from midfield. Under-20 defender Michael Katongo and Clive Sichiondwe are set to man the full backs.
Warriors has seen the departure of three assistants within a space of one week including former international Tenant Chilumba who has joined division one North Prison Leopards as head coach.
Warriors are on eleventh with nine points.
With a game in hand Nchanga Rangers are lying fifth on the log thanks to Mathews Macha’s impressive goal return. Macha has scored two braces already this season.
Rangers announced the inclusion of Chabby Chabala as deputy to Kenneth ‘Bubble’ Malitoli earlier in the week.
Malitoli will count on the experience of veteran Elijah Tana at the back while Gerald Bwalya will be the key man in midfield.
Key Battle: Emmanuel Mayuka v Elijah Tana
After spending two weeks in Portugal at Sporting Lisbon, Mayuka is back in the local league. Best pal Rogers Kola has received a lot of rave views in last few weeks at Zanaco but is aware a goal against ‘Brave’ Rangers will be enough to warrant him as the best striker in the local league.
Against Mayuka, Tana will have a another tough afternoon ( Kola troubled Tana at Sunset Stadium).
Player to Watch: Tom Bakala
The under-20 international is rising through the ranks. He was part of the under-17 set up last year for Zambia. Bakala is following the foot steps of elder brother and mentor Ian. The left footed player made his debut season last year at his parent club Lusaka Dynamos.
Green Buffaloes vs Roan United
Woodlands Stadium, Lusaka.
Arguably the foam team, Green Buffaloes are slowly regaining back their confidence and the soldiers are looking like title contenders at the moment.
Buffaloes coach George Lwanadamina should thank under-20 starlet Nathan Sinkala for stability in the midfield. Sinkala’s steady approach has allowed play maker Sebastian Mwansa to regain his form.
Former Chambishi play maker John Musukwa, Dennis Banda, Reuben Tembo and Brian Chilando are the other key men.
Ben Mwanza is the man Buffaloes should watch.
Roan United have ten points while the ‘Go and Conquer Boys’ are five points clear are on level with Zesco United.
Read the complete post at http://zambianfootball.blogspot.com/2008/05/nkana-face-zanaco-mayuka-returns-on.html
Posted
May 09 2008, 07:09 AM
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