The Faz Premier League resumes today after a mandatory 2-week mid-season recess.
Joint leaders Young Arrows and Green Buffaloes, both on 27 points, will be engaged in separate battles for top-spot but it is in Ndola where the potential match of the weekend will be played.
At the Trade Fair Grounds in Ndola, defending champions Zesco United begin life without their talismanic midfielder Rainford Kalaba.
Kalaba left Zambia last week to begin a 5-year year deal with Sporting Braga in Portugal.
The midfielder inspired Zesco to their first league title last season with 13 league goals from his 24 overall in all competition in 2007 and his authoritative presence on the pitch during that season brought out the best from the Ndola-based side.
Zesco are currently 3rd from top on 25 points, three less than Young Arrows and 2nd placed Buffaloes, and are unbeaten at home in their last 7 league games played at Trade Fair Grounds.
Moreover, Zesco are yet to lose at home over the last year and a half and they will be looking to extend that fine home record despite an indifferent run of form this term as they bid to retain the league crown.
How Zesco will collectively handle the pressure of playing without Kalaba that begins with Mohamed Fathy’s Warriors led by influential teenage striker Emmanuel Mayuka throws up an interesting prospect.
Football watchers will also eagerly await to see how striker Enoch Sakala fairs in the latter part of the season in what is so far turning out to be a poor 2008 campaign that has seen him score just one goal all season in all competition this term.
Sakala’s form this season is in complete contrast to the 13 league goals on top of the 23 overall total from all competition he scored in 2007.
Meanwhile in the weekends other major matches, leaders Young Arrows travel to Konkola Blades, Buffaloes host Power Dynamos, Red Arrows while await Nchanga Rangers at Nkoloma.
In the rest of the Week 19 fixtures, City of Lusaka face Zanaco at Sunset Stadium, Nkwazi take on Lusaka Dynamos at Edwin Emboela while up on the Copperbelt, Nkana and Roan clash at Wusakile in Kitwe.
And at Railway Grounds in Kabwe, 13th placed Green Eagles and bottom side Chambishi clash in an all-relegation zone match-up.
FIXTURES
Faz Premier League
Week 19
19/07/2008
Zesco United- Kabwe Warriors
Green Eagles -Chambishi
Green Buffaloes – Power Dynamos
Nkana – Roan United
Konkola Blades – Young Arrows
Red Arrows -Nchanga Rangers
Nkwazi – Lusaka Dynamos
Zanaco -City of Lusaka
Division One
20/07/2008
North
Week 19
Prison Leopards- Ndola United
Kalewa – Kitwe United
Mining Rangers -Medical Stars
Lime Hotspurs -Chindwin Sentries
Mufulira Blackpool – Forest rangers
Zamtel – Mufulira Wanderers
Indeni -Afrisport
Muchindu -Tazara Express
South
Week 25
Lusaka Celtic -Riflemen
Young Buffaloes-National Assembly
Profund Warriors -Nakambala Leopards
Mazabuka United – Young Green Bufaloes
Chilanga Heroes – Nampundwe
Builders Brigade -Kalomo Jetters
Livingstone Pirates -Petauke United
Kambuku Warriors -Lusaka Tigers
Lusaka City Council-Zamcoal Diggers
Tap into local village schools some boys are so talented with footie if FAZ could further there coverage zambia can do better look at Nigeria they have the yobos from remote areas.
Come 2 choma and watch our local league i am sure u can have a gud replacement 4kalaba pa zesco even at national level.
kalaba did the right thing to go to europe and make money for his family,the days of patriorism are long gone,zesco will find another player to replace kalaba,there is a lot of talent in rural areas so FaZ Should be active and go out to lookfor players,young man enjoy life
Buffalo tulewino mailo. Lets bulldoze towards the title, no team is going to stand in our way!
Go Nkana, go!
Am at th trade fair ground ready to watch zesco take on warriors in what promises to be an explosive match. i can see mayuka warming up!
Metal pa Metal #6 give us results on that one.Aisha#2 i was just wondering are you Zambian of Asian descent? I have been observing your comments on Zed football you seem to love the game keep it up.
Zesco has won by 3 goals to 1. Mayuka had given warriors the lead in the 1st half but zesco scored 3 goals in a space of 6 minutes to take the game. Impresive performances by lottie phiri of zesco and siloni jere of warriors.
nga ba rangers ati shani score??
Viva Magnificent Kabwe Warriors!