Zanaco’s four-point lead at the summit of the FAZ Super Division table will be tested on Wednesday when they host Red Arrows in a Lusaka derby at Sunset Stadium.
Unbeaten Zanaco face the last team to defeat them in the league after losing 4-0 in Week 30 last November at Nkoloma Stadium.
“We are going into this game to fight to collect maximum points although it won’t be an easy game,” Zanaco coach Mumamba Numba said.
“Last season we beat them at home and they beat us at their home ground.
“So we have a reputation to protect at home especially at home that is where teams have to win league games.
“If we can collect maximum points in our home games the possibilities of challenging for the title are high but if we drop points at home then it will be very difficult to challenge for the league title.”
Zanaco go into their match against Arrows on 24 points, four ahead of second placed Zesco who are also in action on Wednesday when they host Nkwazi at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Zesco return to league action after a three week break and still sitting in second place despite a lot of activity outside the top five bracket of the table since they last kicked the ball on May 16 when they beat National Assembly 1-0 away in Lusaka.
The defending champions took leave because they had over five players away on Cosafa Cup and Under-23 duty.
And just like Zanaco, Zesco too are unbeaten this season after ten and eight games played respectively.
A win for Zesco and a draw or loss for Zanaco will see the former move within at least two or a point of the latter.
But Zesco will be without their Zambia trip of goalkeeper Jacob Banda, midfielder Kondwani Mtonga and striker Jackson Mwanza.
The trio is away on Zambia duty ahead of Saturday’s away friendly against Ethiopia in Addis Ababa.
[standings league_id=1 template=extend logo=false]
