Hopes of Copperbelt fans getting another serving of a high profile match have been dashed after Faz decided to take the Barclays Cup final to Woodlands Stadium next month.
The development means any Copperbelt football fan wishing to watch the regional cup final derby between Zesco United and Power Dynamos will have to travel to Lusaka on December 6.
Disappointing crowd attendances during the last three cup and international games staged on the Copperbelt by Faz have prompted them to take the Barclays Cup final to a more lucrative locale in Lusaka.
Paltry crowds recently characterized the Zambia and Egypt Under-20’s Africa Youth Cup qualifier at Nchanga Stadium in Chingola on October 11 including the BP Top 8 final at the same venue on November 8.
There was also a poor crowd turnout for last Saturdays Barclays Cup semifinal doubleheader at Trade Fair Grounds in Ndola that saw Zesco beat Lusaka Dynamos and Power defeat Green Buffaloes on post-match penalties after scoreless draws in their semifinal games respectively.
However, Copperbelt fans will still have the privilege of watching Zambia and Angola’s 2009 Caf Africa Nations Championship 2nd round, final return leg qualifier to be played at Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe on December 13.
Meanwhile, Zambia leave for Luanda this Friday ahead of Saturdays 1st leg clash away to Angola.
Zambia gathered in Lusaka today with 20 players in camp with two more still expected.
The missing duo is striker Felix Sunzu Junior of Konkola Blades and defender Mulenga Nyambe from Zesco United.
2008 Barclays Cup Semifinals
22/11/2008
At Trade Fair Grounds, Ndola
Green Buffaloes 0- Power Dynamos 0*
*Power win 4-2 pp
Lusaka Dynamos 0- Zesco United 0*
*Zesco win 5-4 pp
Final:
06/12/2008
Woodlands Stadium, Lusaka
Zesco United – Power Dynamos
Faz Premier League Week 29
22/11/2008
City of Lusaka 1(Lee Ngoma 41″)- Roan United 1(Arthur Kasoloki 43″)
Kabwe Warriors 0- Red Arrows 1(Lawrence Pondani 15″)
Young Arrows 1(Juma Lwipa 35″) -Green Eagles 1(Kebby Hachipuka 33″)
23/11/2008
Konkola Blades 1(Thomas Nyirenda 18″)- Nkwazi 0
Faz Premier League
Week 29
26/11/2008
Zesco United – Nchanga Rangers (TBA)
Green Buffaloes- Zanaco
Lusaka Dynamos- Chambishi (TBA)
Power Dynamos – Nkana
After games Played 14/11/2008
LEAGUE, INTL & CUP:
Roger Kola (Zanaco): 13
Emmanuel Mayuka (Kabwe Warriors): 12
Aubrey Zulu (Green Eagles): 12
Simon Bwalya (Power Dynamos): 9
Francis Kombe (Power Dynamos): 9
Mathew Macha (Nchanga Rangers): 9
Chomba Ng’andwe (Young Arrows): 8
Kruger Mwansa (Young Arrows) : 8
Reuben Tembo (Green Buffaloes):7
Timothy Mbewe (Red Arrows): 6
Nicholas Zulu (Zesco United): 6
Jonah Sakuwaha (Zesco United): 6
Dan Sibanda (Red Arrows): 6
Brian Chilando (Green Buffaloes): 6
Kelvin Mumba (Roan United): 6
Patrick Kabamba (Nkana): 6
Chipulu Chileya (Konkola Blades): 6
Faz Division 1
24/11/2008
NORTH
Lime Hotspurs 2- Forest Rangers 1
Zamtel 0- Medical Stars 0
Chindwin 0- Mufulira Wanderers 0
Mufulira Blackpool 0- Prison Leopards 0
Indeni 1- Mining Rangers 1
Kitwe United 2- Tazara Express 0
Muchindu 1- Ndola United 0
Kalewa 1- Afrisports 0
SOUTH
Lusaka City Council 0- Lusaka Celtic 1
Lusaka Tigers 4- Zamcoal Diggers 0
Kalomo Jetters 3- Petauke United 1
Choma Eagles 1-Chilanga Heroes 0
Mazabuka united 1- Profund Warriors 1
National Assembly 0- Nakambala 1
Young Buffaloes 0- Riflemen 1
Young Green Eagles- Nampundwe
Go Power 90 Go! Pamapili baiche ba Afri-sport bombesheni
number 2
So, its about money and not social amenities to the local residents. Ba FAZ mwitemwisha Rupiah.
and now faz has moved games to lusaka because people on the copperbelt dont have money to pay to watch football matches. i hope even clubs will also be playing their fixtues in lusaka since they also dont have people watching their marches . i wonder how they even manage to pay referees because there are no gate takings . faz make football a business before all clubs ground to halt . let clubs operate on commercial so that they can attract investors in football . the standards of football in zambia will not improve as long as the present management style of football continues. we want improved standards but those standards cost money which faz should help to attract commercialisation of game
DO WORRY GUYS, DECEMBER 6 MATCH IS YOS,LEKANI NAIFE BA LSK TITAMBEKO.
SORRY BA NDOLA ITS DEC 13 MUKATAMBA NA IMWE.
Job well done CB teams. The cup is on its way to the CB. Sorry for these innocent teams led by the current FAZ executive. They (FAZ) do not have soccer at heart. To them it’s money money money in their pockets. Just like politicians. Ah! These people. And we will still vote for them next time. Me? No. You advise them and they do the opposite.
Both Teams playing are from the CBelt why take the game to Lusaka, this is very unfair. Anyway he who plays the piper…..
I think Copperbelt has hosted a number of important games this year as compared to Lusaka. So, it is only fair that the game between Zesco and Power is hosted in Lusaka for a change. I know that fans on the Copperbelt would have been happy to watch their heroes battling it out for supremacy but in the spirit of football and equal opportunities, let people in Lusaka enjoy as well. This game is mouth watering, you know. No one would want to miss it. People in Lusaka, here is battle you have been waiting for.
Its very unfair. If those teams are from CB its better they play in their region CB.