VICTOR KUMWENDA, Lusaka
LEADERS Napsa Stars and second-placed Lusaka Dynamos today have tricky fixtures when the MTN Super Division enters round 16.
Napsa travel to Chililabombwe to face Konkola Blades while Dynamos make a long trip to Lumwana Radiants.
Napsa have 28 points, two better than Dynamos, who have two matches in hand.
Nkana will climb to third position if they beat Red Arrows.
BLADES v NAPSA
The teams have met six times since 2013 with Napsa winning three and the rest ending in stalemates.
The last clash on November 1, 2017 ended 1-1 at the same venue.
It will be an interesting encounter considering Blades trainer Wellington Mujembe is aiming to start his reign with a win to prove that he is the right man for the job.
Mujembe replaced Enos Silwimba, who was fired on Tuesday.
Napsa will rely on Youremember Banda, Maunga Kabuku and Mangani Phiri to remain in contention for a maiden league title.
Banda netted a brace while Phiri contributed a goal in the 3-0 win over Real Nakonde last Sunday.
Smarting from a 3-0 bashing at Wanderers, Mujembe will look to Tapson Kaseba and Frank Chinyama to prove he means business.
LUMWANA v DYNAMOS
Dynamos’ resolve to win their maiden Super Division title faces a test when they take on resurgent Radiants.
Last year, Dynamos beat Lumwana 2-0 in Lusaka but lost the return tie 1-0 in North-Western Province.
Dynamos return to league action after a two-week break because their opponents Zesco United and Zanaco were involved in Africa inter-club assignments.
Dynamos will look to striker Chris Mugalu, Cletus Chama, Marvin Jere and Potiphar Zulu to halt Lumwana’s two-game unbeaten run.
Mugalu has netted nine times this season.
But Lumwana, buoyed by their 1-0 win over Kabwe Warriors, will rely on homeground advantage to overcome Dynamos.
NKANA v ARROWS
Nkana have an opportunity to extend their two-game unbeaten stretch when they host Arrows.
The Beston Chambeshi-mentored Nkana overcame Buildcon 1-0 before edging Forest Rangers with the same margin in Ndola.
Coach Beston Chambeshi will unleash Ronald Kampamba, Shadreck Musonda, Austin Muwowo and Jacob Ngulube while Arrows’ Bruce Musakanya, Stanley Nshimbi, Francis Kombe and Lottie Nyimbili should raise their game to triumph at Nkana.
Elsewhere, Nakambala Leopards tackle Mufulira Wanderers in Mazabuka, Nchanga Rangers engage Green Eagles in Chingola, City of Lusaka host Nkwazi and Kabwe Warriors coach Elijah Chikwanda will be looking forward to a good start at struggling Real Nakonde.
Zesco United face Forest Rangers in a Ndola derby tomorrow.
