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WILL ZAMBIA FINALLY CLINCH THE IMF DEAL?

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WILL ZAMBIA FINALLY CLINCH THE IMF DEAL?

By Chibamba Kanyama

The IMF Director of African Department Abebe Aemro Selassie has indicated the application by Zambia for funding will be assessed soon. This statement has been widely followed globally given Zambia’s debt situation and its recent default on a due payment to Eurobond holders.

I personally know Abebe and consider him to be a down to earth and ethical Ethiopian national who is currently heading a top position at the Fund. As Head of the Department, his recommendations on Zambia will certainly carry a lot of weight within the IMF ranks. However, his assurance to assess the request is no guarantee of a favourable outcome. There are a lot of layers within the governance system of the IMF that are involved in programme approvals. Key departments within the Fund will make their own assessments according to set evaluation benchmarks.

Whatever the case, there is one positive at this stage: The IMF Director for African Department personally made a visit to Lusaka, barely a month after appointing Preya Sharma as Resident Representative, replacing Alfredo Baildini who was recalled in July 2018 (I was heavily bashed for tweeting a Baldini replacement would take a while). Given the small size of the delegation and (few) number of days spent, it is also clear the visit was an installation mission of the New Mission Chief for Zambia Alex Segura-Ubiego and Sharma as Resident Representative (Mission Chiefs generally install Resident Representatives). The real takeaway, therefore, is that the Zambia-IMF relationship has been restored and at a time when the creditors desperately looked forward to this initial step!

I am very positive the IMF is serious about supporting Zambia. It has in the past months keenly followed the events about Zambia and, as expected of the IMF, its assessment is in part due to possible spillover effects if Zambia’s appeal for help does not receive serious attention. The IMF first received serious request for support from Zambia in May (meaning all earlier pronouncements by Government that it had approached the IMF may just have been intentions).

WILL IMF COME ON BOARD?

The prospects for a Fund programme are summed up in one sentence taken from Abebe’s end of Mission Statement, “We look forward to the presentation of the government’s home- grown economic strategy, and will be assessing in the coming weeks how the IMF could support the authorities’ reform efforts through a possible Fund program”

This is like writing a letter to your uncle, ‘I have read your request for help and will be looking into it after analysing your intentions to cut down on alcohol, divorce the second wife, send away those many dependents you are keeping.’

I am not very sure I have full details of what the home-grown economic recovery strategy is but I know that in September this year, Government approved the Economic Recovery Plan (ERP) whose focus is a move toward economic stabilization; push towards economic recovery and a growth plan aimed at restoring macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability while diversifying the economy. This seems to be the Zambia Plus that is yet to deliver on fiscal consolidation.

The key issue is the level of government commitment required to attain these benchmarks in order to get the IMF support. Does government possess enough courage to embark on serious stabilization measures just before the 2021 elections given that some of the expectations involve halting infrastructural projects, stopping borrowing, and spending prudently? Or could it be government hopes to secure the program now, negotiate for part financial injection but implement full programme after the elections? If IMF buys into the latter, it would be a wise move but requiring commitment from all political players given the uncertainty of elections.

The IMF team met President Edgar Lungu and probably this gives an indication there is executive commitment to implement what the IMF is looking for. I am personally lobbying for IMF support towards Zambia because the results will eventually be good to every citizen. It is for this reason I support any kind of commitment that Government will make in ensuring we get the IMF on board.

My advice to government would be for us to go for a big new medium-term expenditure framework that will change the outlook materially and we can be on a happy road to recovery!

 

 

 

LAZ threatens to sue Ex-Ministers refusing to pay back

Chief Editor
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LAZ threatens to sue Ex-Ministers refusing to pay back

The Law Association of Zambia has warned that it will take legal action against all former ministers and their deputies refusing to pay back the money they illegally received after the dissolution of Parliament ahead of the 2016 general election.

LAZ President Abyudi Shonga says the legal steps will include instituting contempt of court proceedings and taking out appropriate writs of execution against the affected party.

He said in a statement that the ministers do not have an option but to pay back the money within 30 days.

“LAZ has welcomed the Ruling on Assessment by the Registrar of the Constitutional Court handed down on 7th December, 2020 in relation to the case involving the Ministers who illegally stayed in office in 2016. Through the said Ruling, state coffers will be boosted by a sum of about K4.2 million within the next 30 days. However, LAZ is deeply concerned with remarks circulating in the media attributed to the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Honourable Jean Kapata in which the Honourable Minister is quoted as saying that she will not pay back the money as adjudged by the Court,” Mr Shonga said.

“Our concern stems from the fact that decisions emanating from our Courts of law should not, under any circumstances, be ignored or belittled. We do not expect citizens, let alone sitting Cabinet Ministers, to undermine the Judiciary or decisions handed down by courts of law. As LAZ, we wish to remind all the Ministers affected by the Judgment of the Constitutional Court that they do not have an option in the matter, but to abide by the decision of the court and pay back monies ordered to be paid within 30 days from the date of the assessment,” he said.

“LAZ warns all those ordered to pay back the duly assessed sums of money that LAZ will take every legal step possible to ensure that the Judgment of the Court is complied with. These steps will include citing those who undermine the court decision for contempt of court, and taking out appropriate writs of execution.”

Me. Shonga said LAZ will deploy all available options to ensure that every person, regardless of their standing in society, does not demean or undermine the sanctity of decisions of our courts.

“It must be stressed that everyone is duty bound to respect decisions of our courts of law. We therefore, call upon all the Ministers (as they then were) affected by the Constitutional Court’s decision to promptly comply to avoid the adverse consequences of the court’s coercive powers.”

DIV 1 WRAP:Mighty Fall in Livingstone

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Mighty Mufulira Wanderers succumbed to their third defeat of the FAZ National Division 1 season after going down 1-0 at Livingstone Pirates on Wednesday.

Wanderers conceded a second half goal at Maramba Stadium in Livingstone to begin life minus coach Tenant Chembo with defeat.

Chembo this week resigned as Wanderers coach to join FAZ Super Division side Lumwana Radiants.

Mighty are fresh from losing to Chambishi and Mpulungu Harbour.

Ninth placed Wanderers have 12 points, six behind leaders Kafue Celtic, after nine matches played.

Meanwhile, Celtic have reclaimed top spot for at least 24 hours before Chambishi and City of Lusaka play their round nine matches on Thursday.

Celtic beat Trident 1-0 at home to move to 18 points.

FAZ National Division 1 – Week 9

Kafue Celtics 1-0 Trident FC

Kabwe Youth 2-1 Zesco Malaiti

Livingstone Pirates 1-0 Mufulira Wanderers

National Assembly 1-1 Konkola Blades

Kansanshi Dynamos 1-0 MUZA FC

09/12/2020

Kashikishi Warriors Vs Mpulungu Harbour

Zesco Shockers Vs Chambishi

Police College Vs City of Lusaka

Gomes Vs Nchanga Rangers

Koby releases “My way”

Entertainment Editor
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Koby releases “My way”

XYZ Entertainment rapper and music producer KOBY released the video for his latest single “My Way” off his debut album “Young Legend“.

The song features  Elisha Long. The Music video was directed by Qbick The Visual Pap.

Contractor halts works at Kazungula Bridge again after Zambia fails to pay

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Contractor halts works at Kazungula Bridge again after Zambia fails to pay

The contractor working on Kazungula Bridge, DAEWOO has suspended construction works due to non payment of the debt it is owed by the Zambian government.

In a letter dated 5th December, 2020, DAEWOO Engineering and Construction Company Project Manager TAE KIM complained over the Zambian government’s delay to fullfil it’s obligation.

Mr Kim says his company had requested for financial arrangements but it has not received any feedback from the central government.

Mr. Kim said looking at the financial climate in Zambia with the Eurobond default,the contractor feels greatly discouraged.

He says the Company will now prioritize the balance of it’s running cost to pay employees’ wages.

In March 2019 , construction works at $260 Million Kazungula Bridge were stopped after Daewoo Engineering and Construction, the contractor in charge of the development shut down the site due to non payment by the Zambian government.

Africa expected to see a subdued economic recovery in 2022

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Africa expected to see a subdued economic recovery in 2022

Ghana, Senegal & Uganda met virtually with international financial partners and risk analysts to discuss the most urgent risks and mitigation solutions at ATI’s (www.ATI-ACA.org) annual Roundtable; Analysts noted that Africa is expected to see a subdued economic recovery in 2021 and not likely to reach 2019 growth levels till 2022; Debt defaults are likely to be contained to a small subset of countries with little chance of contagion spreading to other countries in the region.

At the African Trade Insurance Agency’s (ATI) Annual Investor Roundtable, investors, risk analysts and African governments weighed in on the prospects for the region to recover from the impacts of COVID-19. Analysts predicted a subdued recovery in 2021 with the possibility of countries not returning to 2019 growth levels till 2022.

Manuel Moses, ATI’s newly appointed Chief Executive Officer opened the session by emphasizing the importance of partnerships to help African economies recover from this unprecedented pandemic. He also noted ATI’s focus on lending more support to the most vulnerable economies, which the company plans to do through rapid membership expansion in the coming months with the support of partners like the European Investment Bank and the African Development Bank.

The session revealed several key factors that should guide the continent’s recovery. Notably, one of the striking features of the pandemic’s impact is that, unlike previous economic shocks that left their mark largely on commodity-dependent countries, for example, this pandemic is affecting a broader swathe of countries including more diversified economies and those reliant on tourism and the aviation sectors.

The IMF estimates that US$345 billion will be required in the next three years to help countries fully recover from the economic impacts of COVID-19, while the most comprehensive debt support initiative – the G20’s debt service suspension initiative (DSSI) will only provide US$6.5 billion to eligible countries through to June 2021. And the tangle of non-traditional financing sources, from the Middle East and Asia, for example, is adding even greater complexity to the debt issue.

Analysts also noted that there aren’t really any surprises given that countries likely to be the most resilient are those, such as Senegal and Uganda, which had sound fiscal and monetary policies in place before the pandemic while countries that were already vulnerable before the pandemic are predicted to fair worse with average debt burdens rising to 60% of GDP in 2020 compared to 40% in 2015.

Here are some additional highlights from the session.

Africa was spared significant health impacts but vigilance is still needed

Dr Robert Besseling, Founder and CEO of Pangea-Risk noted that so far, the pandemic seems to have impacted mostly North and Southern Africa. Each region accounts for 1/3 of the cumulative infections with Egypt and Morocco bearing the brunt of most of the infections in the North while South Africa alone accounts for 1/3 in the Southern region. However daily rates show that Africa on a whole, including countries in the East and West, are well on their way to experiencing a second wave. Currently there are 2.2 million cumulative infections with 300,000 active.

Debt default contagion limited to a few countries and has not spread

Speakers noted that rating actions have been measured and focused on where risks are highest and most pressing, which tend to be the less dynamic performers in the Single B category. In 2020, Moody’s took the most ratings actions, 20 in total, since 2016 and were focused on a small subset of countries, where the COVID shock exacerbated pre-existing credit weakness prior to the pandemic leaving these countries more susceptible to shocks and possible negative ratings.

By 2021, six African countries are expected to record government gross debt over 100% of GDP while debt burdens overall were expected to rise then stabilize by 2021/2022 above 60% of GDP. The most vulnerable countries are well known to the markets and have had pre-existing challenges. Given the isolated nature of current defaults, the general trend does not show any threat of regional spread or contagion.

The challenge going forward, is that these countries don’t have a historic track record of stabilizing such a rise in debt levels. Fiscal consolidation and revenue generation will be some of the factors needed to improve their credit quality over time.

African governments stress the need to treat countries individually

In laying out their strategies, the participating government representatives from Ghana, Senegal and Uganda all highlighted their uniqueness, which they felt should be a key factor in any discussion with partners interested in supporting pandemic recovery efforts on the continent.

The other key issue to emerge is that these countries are proactively putting in place strategic recovery plans that are both a continuation of their efforts to build sustainably while also laying the groundwork to cushion their economies against future shocks.

Senegal, for instance, as mentioned by Khalifa Sarr, an Advisor to the Minister of Economy, Planning and International Partnerships, is ranked as second out of 36 countries globally for their COVID response. This could not have been achieved, noted Mr Sarr, if the government hadn’t implemented a US$1.7 billion economic & social resiliency program in early April this year, representing 7% of their GDP. Sarr also commented that the international community should recognise that not all debt is equal. This socio-economic program, he added, is credited for saving thousands of lives and strengthening social infrastructure that will protect against future pandemics while adding to the next phase of their recovery program aimed at attracting the private sector through a new PPP framework and policies that will ease bureaucracy for investors.

Uganda has also taken a proactive stance. Despite being in the midst of a presidential election, Moses Kaggwa, the Director of Economic Affairs in the Ministry of Finance remarked that the country is expected to grow by 2.9% this year and 3.5-4% in 2021 – one of Africa’s top performers. And with a focus on generating jobs within the agriculture sector, which accounts for the employment of 70% of the population, they are ramping up value addition of some of these exports in addition to domestic tourism while the Uganda Development Bank is bridging the current financing gap to manufacturing and agribusiness. Combined, these measures are expected to aid in the country’s post-pandemic recovery in a way that impacts a majority of the population.

Likewise, Ghana, with a well-diversified economy, was helped by stable cocoa prices and a resurgent interest by investors in gold, which countered the effects of the downturn in oil prices according to Samuel Arkhurst, the Chief Economics Officer and Director of Treasury and the Debt Management Division. In addition, Ghana implemented a cash program that will stabilise the economy in the short-term and revitalize all sectors as the country emerges from the pandemic. Mr Arkhurst added that Ghana is fully committed to its medium-term debt strategy and expects to return to the Eurobond market in 2021.

Multilaterals urged to rethink their approach to supporting sovereigns

Investors, represented by Dr Christopher Marks, a Managing Director at MUFG, appealed to multilaterals to rethink their approach to supporting sovereigns by focusing on financing social as well as more traditional infrastructure development projects that will not include sovereign guarantees. This, noted Dr Marks, will provide more space on the balance sheets of commercial banks, like MUFG, to be able to provide more support as governments begin the process of strengthening their economies.

The annual Roundtable provides a platform for international investors, financiers and other stakeholders from the private sector to have open and honest exchanges with African governments about current investment and trade risks and potential solutions. The speakers at this year’s event included:

  • David Rogovic, Vice President & Senior Analyst, Sovereign Risk Group at Moody’s Investors Service;
  • Samuel Arkhurst, Chief Economics Officer and Director of Treasury and the Debt Management Division, Ghana;
  • Khalifa Sarr, Advisor in the Ministry of Economy, Planning & International Partnerships, Senegal;
  • Mr. Moses Kaggwa, Director of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Uganda;
  • Dr Christopher Marks, Managing Director, Head of Emerging Markets, Corporate Banking EMEA at MUFG; and
  • Moderation provided by Dr Robert Besseling, Founder and CEO of Pangea-Risk

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Trade Insurance Agency (ATI).

ECZ begins voter registration in Correctional facilities

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ECZ begins voter registration in Correctional facilities

The Electoral Commission of Zambia has commenced voter registration in Correctional facilities.

A check at Lusaka Central Correctional Facility in Lusaka revealed that a number of inmates have registered to vote in the 2021 General elections.

According to Lusaka Central Correctional facility Officer in Charge Senior Superintendent Kenani Masase,the facility has 1,224 Male inmates with 603 inmates requiring to obtain National Registration Cards (NRC’S) to allow them to register as voters.

He said the National Registration and Passport office have set base at the Correctional facility to issue NRC’S, as the ECZ is conducting voter registration.
Senior Superintendent Masase said the process is going on well since it commenced.

Zambians must reject attempts to ridicule the Electoral Commission of Zambia-PF

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Zambians must reject attempts to ridicule the Electoral Commission of Zambia-PF

Patriotic Front (PF) Lusaka Provincial secretary Kennedy Kamba has observed with concern the continued tendency by the opposition and some civil society organizations to discredit the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ).

He has expressed dismay at the systematic machination by the opposition and some civil society organizations, trying by whatever means possible to discredit the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) on a daily basis and trying to portray a picture that they are not capable of handling the 2021 general elections.

“This is very dangerous and Zambians must reject attempts to ridicule the ECZ, a professional and autonomous electoral body that is headed by technocrats,” Mr Kamba said in a statement.

He said the country should believe in the electoral body as stakeholders and never involve it in sheer politics.

He said the commissioners and indeed management at ECZ are doing everything possible, working round the clock to ensure that they put up a credible, free and fair general election come 2021, starting with the ongoing voter registration exercise.

“Indeed, the ECZ has a mammoth task and challenges in this regard are inevitable as they are part of every process and part of life.We, therefore, cannot afford as a country to have irresponsible leaders to continue claiming that the electoral body is not ready for the 2021 general elections” Mr Kamba.

He said the opposition UPND and their allies have put up a systematic attack on the ECZ because they know they are losing even in 2021 general elections but they want to shift the blame on the electoral body even when it is clear that its actually the opposition which is not ready to compete with the ruling PF.

He has since advised the opposition to leave the ECZ alone, to let them do their job in peace.

He further said the opposition UPND, Chishimba Kambwili’s NDC and others, know very well that they don’t have numbers and that they are unpopular hence their attempts to declare elections a sham even before a vote is cast.

Mr Kamba said the opposition are scared, and just cry-babies and urged them to leave the ECZ alone and just work hard and stop the blame game.

“Comments from people like Dundumwezi UPND MP Edgar Sing’ombe where he is saying the ECZ is not ready for 2021 general elections must be condemned with the contempt they deserve”he said.

I’m ready to refund the Money –Vincent Mwale

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I’m ready to refund the Money –Vincent Mwale

Chipangali Member of Parliament (MP) Vincent Mwale says he is ready to pay back the money he accrued in emoluments when he remained in office as Minister after Parliament dissolved in 2016.

Mr Mwale, who is also Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development, told ZANIS in Chipata yesterday, that he will pay back the money now that he knows how much he is supposed to refund the Government.

The Chipangali MP is among the 64 former ministers who stayed in office and continued to draw emoluments after parliament was dissolved prior to the 2016 general elections.

“I have always been ready to pay back the money. That was a court judgment. I will pay back now that it is clear on how much I need to refund,” he said.

Mr Mwale stressed that although he is yet to receive official communication on how to make payments, he is more than ready to pay.

“I hope to pay back the money through monthly deductions from my monthly salary, or in case I fail to manage to do so, payments can be made from my benefits, “Mr. Mwale indicated.

According to the constitutional court’s calculations, Mr. Mwale is supposed to pay back K60, 434.87.

On December 7th, 2020, the constitutional court released a schedule determining the amounts each of the 64 ex-ministers, some of whom are serving in the current cabinet, is supposed to pay back to the Government.

Micro businesses have over the years been overlooked, admits Commerce PS

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Micro businesses have over the years been overlooked, admits Commerce PS

Government says there is need to formulate interventions that will benefit micro-businesses as they constitute about 95 percent of businesses in the country.

Commerce, Trade and Industry Permanent Secretary, Mushuma Mulenga says it is unfortunate micro businesses have over the years been overlooked.

Mr Mulenga noted that most micro-businesses could not benefit from government incentives meant for SMEs as they could not meet the stipulated requirements due to low turnover and other factors.

“As government, we need to look at this category of businesses and begin to tailor our interventions towards them,” he said.

Mr Mulenga said this during a consultative meeting with the Livingstone Chamber of Commerce in Livingstone yesterday.

He further stressed the need for effective policy implementation to address the various challenges entrepreneurs are facing on the ground.

Mr Mulenga urged the Livingstone Chamber of Commerce to take the lead in ensuring government implements the relevant policies.

“As government we have resolved to work closely with the private sector. We need a close relationship with entrepreneurs on the ground as they are an important stakeholder and play a key role in attaining economic growth for the country,” he said.

And speaking earlier, Livingstone Chamber of Commerce President, Namakau Siyanga implored the Ministry of Commerce through its statutory bodies to enhance collaboration, with the Chamber of Commerce, in order to timely identify the constraints affecting the private sector along the different value chains of the economy.

“As a chamber of commerce, we believe the Ministry of Commerce has formulated policies that are able to cause positive change of the livelihood of the private sector if effective implementation is done in a collaborative manner between public to public and public to private partnerships,” she said

Ms Siyanga said for the country to attain meaningful economic growth, there was need to concentrate on implementing policies that have been formulated and enhance monitoring and evaluation in order to track progress and record impact.

Stakeholders told to reinforce the sensitization of communities on the COVID-19 preventive guidelines.

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Stakeholders told to reinforce the sensitization of communities on the COVID-19 preventive guidelines.

The Chililabombwe District Epidemic Preparedness Committee has called on stakeholders in the area to reinforce the sensitization of communities on the coronavirus (COVID-19) preventive guidelines.

The committee, which is led by District Commissioner Roy Ngosa, observed that people had dropped their guard in adhering to the recommended practices posing a threat of another wave of the pandemic.

Most people have stopped adhering to the guidelines among them social distancing, wearing of face masks and hand washing or sanitizing following the recently experienced reduction in the number of COVID-19 positive cases being recorded across the country.

Chililabombwe, whose first positive corona virus case was recorded in April, has a cumulative number of 4869 tests conducted since with 405 confirmed cases and nine deaths, which were brought in dead (BID) cases. There is no active case currently.

Speaking during the committee’s meeting held at the Chililabombwe Municipal Council chamber, Mr Ngosa called on all stakeholders to join efforts to ensure access to quality services by the community.

The District Commissioner also reminded the stakeholders to ensure they subscribe to the “Keep Zambia Clean, Green and Healthy” agenda as it is a good intervention in providing healthy surroundings and preventing disease outbreaks.

“Epidemic control is key to maintaining a healthy population and being a border district, we are expected to maintain high levels of vigilance for diseases know no boundaries. It is not a responsibility of the Ministry of Health alone to put up measures to prevent the occurrence of avoidable diseases but calls for participation of all the stakeholders in the district,” he said.

Other health issues that received attention include the need for stakeholders to help in acquiring chlorine and lime to facilitate the disinfection of shallow wells and pit latrines in high density areas to avert the spread of diseases such as cholera and typhod.

The committee also leant that the district is currently at about 90 percent in terms of vaccinating dogs to prevent the spread of rabies courtesy of a partnership between the local authority’s Public Health Department, the Veterinary Department and Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) which has been providing the vaccines.

On waste management, it was resolved that the district engages a potential company that could set up a plant to recycle plastics and bottles as this could lead to minimal waste to be taken to dumping sites as well as increased revenue collection and employment creation.

The committee comprises officials from the District Administration, the Ministry of Health, the local authority, Mulonga Water and Sewerage Company, selected government departments, the private sector, Faith Based Organisations and some Civil Society Organisations.

Rural Crime: 66 year old Nakonde man murdered

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Rural Crime: 66 year old Nakonde man murdered

A 66 year old man of Mbawe village in Nakonde district in Muchinga Province, has been murdered by unknown people. The development has been confirmed to ZANIS by Muchinga Province Police Commissioner Joel Njase.

Mr Njase said Wrightwell Sinkala was last seen on Monday around 05:00 hours in the morning when he went to his maize field 5 kilometres away from his home. The Police Commissioner added that Sinkala was discovered dead yesterday around 07:00 hours in his field facing down with a deep cut on the neck.

The Police Chief added that the motive for the murder is not yet known and that investigations into the matter have been instituted, while the body of the deceased is currently deposited at Nakonde District Hospital awaiting postmortem and burial.

Meanwhile, the Muchinga Province Police Command has called on the Community Crime Prevention unit (CCPU) to continue working hard and in collaboration with other defence forces in the region, in order to zero in on the criminals.

Mr Njase has also appealed to the aged people in the villages, to avoid moving long distances alone, but should be accompanied by someone.

The Police Commissioner has warned the perpetrators of such violent acts that the long arm of the law will catch up with them and that they will be dealt with accordingly.

“As police we want to send a serious warning to all those involved in the killing of innocent people that the long arm of the law will catch up with them,” said Commissioner Njase.

Napsa Stars League Drought Continues

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Napsa Stars on Wednesday failed to replicate their continental form back on the domestic front when they lost their Lusaka derby date against Zanaco at Nkoloma Stadium.

The match was Napsa’s first league game back from CAF Confederation Cup action where they collected back-to-back first round victories over Ngazi FC of Comoros to advance to the second stage 9-2 on aggregate.

But Napsa’s league drought continued when they lost 2-1 to Zanaco to slump to the bottom of the log at 18th place with three draws and two defeats.

Baba Basile put Zanaco ahead in the 21st minute before Jacob Ngulube gave Napsa hope with a 42nd minute equalizer.

But Moses Phiri broke Napsa’s hearts with a 50th minute winner and record his fifth goal of the campaign to tie with club mate Roger Kola.

Zanaco are third on 14 points, a point behind Zesco United and leaders Buildcon who are tied on 15 points.

Meanwhile, Napsa’s CAF Confederation Cup compatriots Green Eagles finished 0-0 at home against Nkwazi.

But Forest Rangers who have just exited from their debut CAF Champions League campaign, were excused from their Wednesday date against Kabwe Warriors after arriving back from continental duty in Gabon on Tuesday.

FAZ SUPER DIVISION

WEEK 9
09/12/2020
Power Dynamos 1-Lumwana Radiants 0
Green Eagles 0-Nkwazi 0
Indeni 2-Nkana 0
Green Buffaloes 1-Buildcon 2
Prison Leopards 4-Lusaka Dynamos 2
Kitwe United 0-Young Green Eagles 0
Zanaco 2-Napsa Stars 1
Red Arrows 0-Zesco United 0
TBA:
Kabwe Warriors-Forest Rangers

Nkana Lose at Indeni, Buildcon Replace Zesco as Leaders

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Nkana’s early season woes continued on Wednesday when they lost 2-0 away in Ndola at promoted Indeni in their first match without the suspended coach Manfred Chabinga.

The defending champions are stuck in the bottom four relegation zone with just one win ,two draws and three defeats since the start of the campaign.

And Nkana got off to the worst possible start against Indeni with defender Jimmy Dzingai scoring a 20th minute own-goal.

Gravin Chitalu put Nkana out of their misery in the 59th minute to see the defending champions slump from fourth to third from bottom at number 16 inside the drop zone.

Nkana meanwhile were without influential striker Idris Mbombo who has been handed an extended rest period after playing through the pain barrier due to an injury he sustained at the end of November.

The prize for Indeni’s big kill is fifth place on 12 points, three points behind new leaders Buildcon who beat Green Buffaloes 2-1 away in Lusaka.

Isaac Shamujompa put Buildcon ahead via a 14th minute penalty but Buffaloes equalized through FridaySamu in the 41st minute before Kamal Jafaru scored the winner for the Ndola club.

Buildcon replace their Ndola neighbours Zesco United from number one on goal difference after the latter were held 0-0 away in Lusaka at Red Arrows.

Eleventh placed Arrows could have walked away with the three points but missed a penalty through James Chamanga.

Unbeaten Zambia Reach 2020 COSAFA U20 Semifinals

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Defending COSAFA U20 champions Zambia are through to the semifinals of this year’s competition currently taking place in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

Zambia beat Malawi 2-0 to sail through with a 100 percent run from Group B on 9 points to the December 11 semifinals with an eye on Mauritania 2021 AFCON U20 qualification.

Jimmy Mukeya struck a brace in the 22nd and 67th minutes to send Perry Mutapa’s team through to the last four.

Zambia will face Mozambique in the semifinals while Angola and Namibia will meet in the other last four fixtures.

Mozambique won Group A on 7 points, two more than hosts South Africa after 0-0 draw in their final Group A match on December 8.

Namibia booked their last four place as best runner-up from the three group competition while opponents Angola finished top of a tight Group 3 via goal difference tied on 3 points with eSwatini and Botswana.

The two finalists will represent the COSAFA zone at next year’s AFCON U20.

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