The 2016 season kicks off on Saturday with the curtain-raising Samuel ‘Zoom’ Ndhlovu Charity Shield semifinals.
Of the teams in this years semifinals namely Zanaco, Power Dynamos and Green Buffaloes, only Zesco United have played a competitive game heading to Nkoloma
Zanaco who finished second will face Buffaloes who finished 4th while 3rd place finishers Power will play defending champions Zesco.
Zesco’s match against Power is also a repeat of last years final that the former won 3-1.
That match set the tone for Zesco against Power in the 2015 FAZ Super Division season in which they went on to beat the latter 2-0 away in Kitwe and 3-0 at home in Ndola.
Power are hoping their new signing Conlyde Luchanga, who is one of four new faces making the trip to Lusaka, will help inspire them to victory.
France Kasonde, Victor Kashitu and Laurent Muma are also in the Power traveling party but Gozon Mutale has failed to make the cut to face Zesco.
Zesco on the other hand are banking on another good day from their DR Congo-born signing from Kabwe Warriors Idriss Mbombo.
Mbombo eclipsed fellow newcomer and Kenyan striker Jesse Were who flopped against Al Ghazala after sparking in the pre-season action.
Meanwhile, in the lunchtime kickoff Green Buffaloes will take on Zanaco.
Buffaloes will be chasing their second cup final qualification in four months after winning the 2015 Barclay Cup in November.
Interestingly, Zanaco should field Isaac Chansa while Buffaloes will have Christopher Katongo leading them in this Lusaka derby.
