CHAMBESHI, NUMBA RENEW RIVALRY

By MICHAEL MIYOBA AFTER redeeming themselves with a 2-0 thumping of Power Dynamos in a Kitwe derby, relegation-bound Nkana FC face another tough test when they take on runaway MTN Super League leaders Zesco United in a Week-30 fixture at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola. The clash of the titans in Ndola promises to be a tense affair as Nkana fight to break Zesco’s 10-game winning streak which has seen them dominate the Super League with 55 points, 10 points ahead of second-placed Zanaco FC. The battle will see Nkana coach Beston Chambeshi and Mumamba Numba renewing their rivalry in a must-win match for Nkana who are second from bottom on the 18-team Super League table. The last time the two coaches met, Numba reigned supreme by Beating Chambeshi who was leading Kansanshi Dynamos in the quarter finals of the ABSA Cup recently played at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka. Knowing what Zesco is capable of doing, Chambeshi said he has prepared for Zesco United who are deemed as the favourites going into today’s fixture. Chambeshi said he is happy his charges are beginning to realise the relevance of the Kitwe giants whose fans are concerned with the team’s poor performance. “The players have come to learn that this is a big team they have seen the cry of the people and the sponsors. Everyone in Zambia is worried about the team but I have been preaching and talking to them and now things are changing and if we continue showing the character we showed against Power I think the sky will be the limit,” Chambeshi said. Chambeshi will pray that lethal topman Alex Ngonga rise to the occasion after inspiring Nkana with a 2-0 win over his former club on Sunday. Ngonga and his teammates faces a challenge to break Numba’s defence led by Adrian Chama and 2017 Under-20 AFCON winner Solomon Sakala who have been solid in defence for the Ndola giants. Meanwhile, after failing to pick maximum points from any of their last three matches, Forest Rangers host Prison Leopards who are seeking to bounce back from Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Napsa Stars who will be entertaining Red Arrows at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka. At Godfrey Chitalu Stadium in Kabwe, Kabwe Warriors will fight to bounce back from a 2-1 defeat to Zanaco when they host rejuvenated Green Buffaloes who are on a five-game winning streak. At Khosa Stadium in Kafue, Young Green Eagles who are unbeaten in the last four games host their seniors Green Eagles FC who are coming from beating Lusaka Dynamos 2-0 in Choma. Lusaka Dynamos face Nkwazi in a Lusaka derby at Nkoloma Stadium as Zanaco host struggling Power Dynamos seeking redemption after the suspension of head coach Perry Mutapa who has been replaced with his assistant, Masautso Tembo. Tomorrow’s league action will see Lumwana Radiants hosting relegation bound Kitwe United at Independence Stadium in Solwezi.