Defending league champions Zanaco kickoff their title defence this Saturday away to National Assembly FC as the Faz premier League enters week 2.
Zanaco missed out on the opening day of action last weekend due to a Caf Africa Champions League commitment away to Esperance of Tunisia where they lost 2-0 in a 2nd round, 1st leg tie.
Fighton Simukonda’s side travel to Assembly where they have lost only once in eight league meetings since their hosts made their top-flight debut in 2003.
Assembly’s first and last win over Zanaco was on October 30, 2004 when they beat their guests 2-1 although the latter has yet to win away since then with two successive draws in the league.
An away win will be a great boast for Zanaco ahead of next Saturday return leg match against Esperance whom they host at Sunset stadium.
Zanaco should turn to 2006 league top scorer Winston Kalengo and his Zambia international team mate Ignatius Lwipa for some inspiration to get their title defence off to a flying start.
This weekend will also see Zesco United, who took week 1 off due to opponents Zanaco’s commitments in Africa, also kicking off their league campaign in Ndola where they host early leaders Konkola Blades.
Blades crushed promoted Young Arrows 4-1 at home last Saturday and their performance against a lively looking Zesco under new coach Wedson Nyirenda should be an interesting match-up.
In the rest of the weekends matches, 2nd placed Red Arrows travel to Nchanga Rangers, City of Lusaka are at Nakambala Leopards in Mazabuka while Forest Rangers visit Lusaka Dynamos.
In our match of the day, debutant’s Zamtel travel to Power Dynamos hoping for a much improved performance after bravely holding out to a 0-0 home draw against Lusaka Dynamos in week 1.
Power on the other hand will be praying to avoid a potential Banana skin when ex-coach Peter Kaumba comes to town with Zamtel after the Arthur Davies club lost 2-1 away to Red Arrows in Lusaka last weekend.
In Luanshya, Green Buffaloes, like Zanaco, also kickoff their league this weekend away to Roan United after taking care of their Caf Confederations Cup commitments away in sunny Reunion.
And in Lusaka, It doesn’t get any better for bottom of the table Young Arrows who await Kabwe Warriors at Nkoloma.
