Green Buffaloes and Zesco are bearing down on league leaders Young Arrows with just one point separating the three sides at the top of the table going into Saturdays week 9 league games.
Young Arrows lead the table on 16 points while Buffaloes and Zesco are 2nd and 3rd respectively, level on 15 points though the army men pip the side from Ndola to second place thanks to a better goal difference as the league enters Week 9 on Saturday.
Young Arrows host Lusaka Dynamos, Buffaloes travel to Roan United while Zesco await Red Arrows in Ndola.
Young Arrows have struggled to muster a win in their last 3 matches despite still dominating the top spot but are still unbeaten this season after 8 games played.
Alfred Mulao’s men’s last win came 4 games ago in a 1-0 home win over Zanaco in a delayed week 2 game on April 23.
Since then, Young Arrows have recorded draws against Zesco, Power Dynamos and Nkwazi in their last 3 league matches.
Dynamos on the other hand have not lost for the last 30 days in the last five matches in which they have collected 9 points out of a possible 15 points since losing 1-0 at home to Nkwazi April 5 at Queensmead Stadium.
The highlight during that same good spell has seen Dynamos collect their only 2 wins of the season with similar 1-0 victories over Green Buffaloes and Zanaco.
Meanwhile, Buffaloes host Roan at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka in search of their 4th straight league win.
Triumph over 10th placed Roan would to keep them in serious running for the top spot should Dynamos record an upset at Nkoloma over Young Arrows.
However Zesco, who will be without head coach Wedson Nyirenda who is away in Germany on a 3-week coaching workshop, know they must improve against Red Arrows after coming from behind to finish 1-1 on May 4 at Young Arrows.
Victory over Red Arrows at home in Ndola will give Zesco’s title defence some respectable credentials.
And at Sunset Stadium, Zanaco hosts promoted Nkana with the visitors hoping to record their 2nd top-flight win in Lusaka in as many games since they returned after 4-years in division 1.
Nkana celebrated their 1st visit to Lusaka with a 1-0 win over City of Lusaka in a week 2 on March 21.
But Patrick Phiri’s side will find Zanaco led by Roger Kola and Co a different prospect to the blunt of City.
In the other Week 9 games, Nchanga Rangers visit Kabwe Warriors, Nkwazi host Green Eagles and City are away at Power Dynamos in Kitwe.
2nd from bottom Chambishi and 16th placed Konkola Blades clash in an all-basement match at Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe.
Weekend Football Fixtures
Faz Premier League Week 9
10/05/2008
Zesco United- Red Arrows
Young Arrows- Lusaka Dynamos
Zanaco- Nkana
Power Dynamos- City of Lusaka
Nkwazi- Green Eagles
Kabwe Warriors- Nchanga Rangers
Konkola Blades- Chambishi
Green Buffaloes- Roan United
Faz Division 1
11/05/2008
North
Week 9
Prison Leopards- Zamtel (PP)
Forest Rangers- Afrisports
Muchindu- Lime Hotspurs
Medical Stars- Tazara Express
Indeni- Kalewa
Ndola United- Mufulira Wanderers
Mufulira Blackpool- Kitwe United
Mining Rangers- Chindwin
South
Week 10
Nakambala Leopards- Lusaka Celtic
Young Buffaloes-Mazabuka United
Nampundwe- Riflemen
National Assembly-Builders Brigade
Petauke United- Profund Warriors
Lusaka Tigers- Livingstone Pirates
Kalomo Jetters- Lusaka City Council
Young Green Eagles- Kambuku
Zamcoal Diggers- Chilanga Heroes