BWEZANI ON SUPER LEAGUE PREVIEW ON THE LAST WEEKEND OF THE TRANSITIONAL SEASON
STREAM A (Saturday 25th May, 2019)
Mufulira Wanderers Vs. Green Buffaloes
Shinde Stadium
15:00 hours
The best case scenario for Green Buffaloes this weekend is for them to snap a fourth win in the Super League and maintain sixth position even a loss will still keep them sixth but they need a win to have something to talk about at the end of the season. They have been poor. It might just give them the buffer of avoiding negative talk because such calls for changes.
A loss here for Mufulira Wanderers coupled by a win for either Kitwe United or Prison Leopards sees Mighty bidding farewell to the Super League, few months after going up and perhaps Elijah Chikwanda might bring out something special for this game.
Were Mufulira Wanderers playing a side with anything on the line I would consider backing that opponent but not Green Buffaloes, they’re going down for a reason.
There’s not a whole lot of value on offer for GBFC but Mighty need this more for any likely outcome here so I’ll declare this as a rare win at home for Mufulira Wanderers.
My Prediction: Mufulira Wanderers 1-0 Green Buffaloes
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ZESCO United Vs. Kitwe United
Levy Mwanawasa Stadium
15:00 hours
ZESCO United is locked into a CAF Confederation Cup spot, but still needs to finish ahead of Kabwe Warriors in order to go into Champions League and win the stream. That is what is at stake here .
Kitwe United is locked into a relegation spot and they are not playing for pride. They need to beat ZESCO United and hope Green Buffaloes beat Mufulira Wanderers to avoid relegation.
There’s a real dilemma for ZESCO United though, they need to avoid a low scoring affair otherwise ZANACO could actually grab it if they win massively in their encounters just like Red Arrows, and appear primed for an upset.
This has more to do with goals than anything else, but why not take a flyer on Kitwe United here, stranger things have happened on the final day but I don’t think ZESCO United will waste this chance. They need to be ruthless, win big and outscore any of the teams that will end on 33 points. Its massive . The challenge is the defending champions has had challenges scoring after creating many chances.
My Prediction: ZESCO United 2-0 Kitwe United
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ZANACO Vs. Prison Leopards
Sunset Stadium
15:00 hours
If you’re in the Champions League or CAF Confederation Cup slot, do you really need to worry about that little matter of the Super League title? I think what is more in the mind of ZANACO is to finish in the CAF slot and little of winning the title here.
That sort of justification will be flying around Sunset this Saturday as ZANACO needs a miracle of similar proportions to the one they pulled off in 2016 to get this one and count another title.
Unfortunately it’s not all in their hands but there’s nothing stopping them taking care of what is in their control when they take on a Prison Leopards side locked in relegation zone hoping for a win and a loss for Mufulira Wanderers .
They have done very well against the big sides this season and should be able to put a scare into ZANACO but I’ll back Sensational to get the job done in the end and perhaps win the stream. Am worried though about defence which may still reduce the goal difference, affecting them now. But they will win and officially relegate Prison Leopards.
My Prediction: ZANACO 4-1 Prison Leopards
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Nakambala Leopards Vs. Lusaka Dynamos
Nakambala Stadium
15:00 hours
You could forgive the Lusaka Dynamos players for having their suitcases waiting outside the dressing room to go on holiday about 90 seconds after the full time whistle.
It’s been nothing short of a dreadful season for them and the sooner they can move on the better. They have literally qualified for CAF yet they won’t set foot for those African tours . As it stands , Lusaka Dynamos should be on top of this stream with 33 points and that should be the pain the players are going through. Being punished for sins of their parents.
In all fairness it’s only been marginally better for Nakambala Leopards, but at least they have been able to survive for another season.
Add in the usual “difficult place to go to” rule, Nakambala has an advantage of stopping LD .
My Prediction: Nakambala Leopards 0-0 Lusaka Dynamos
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Kabwe Warriors Vs. Red Arrows
Godfrey Chitalu
15:00 hours,
Live on Supersport
There’s not much to overthink about this game, Kabwe Warriors can’t take it easy on Red Arrows , they need to win to secure the Super League play off which is a possible way to grab the title and of course get into CAF tours. More inticement is that they would also qualify to play the newly rebranded ABSA Cup(formerly Barclay’s )
Red Arrows are pretty much in the race and they will leapfrog Kabwe Warriors with a win here and hence have a lot to play for, its seriously not a dead rubber.
Red Arrows have played spoiler for many teams in the past handing over titles to teams. Their top two hopes last week were ignited after the 3-0 beating of Nakambala Leopards at Nkoloma Stadium, so there’s a chance they can make it here , which is a real scare for Kabwe Warriors .
Tenant Chilumba has his side too well drilled to let this opportunity slip and there is every chance they win the stream with a win here no matter how slim.
Red Arrows have been playing very well this season while Kabwe Warriors have not been losing and are a game away from achieving the unbeaten run. This looks like a draw from many angles you may look at it.
My Prediction: Kabwe Warriors 1-1 Red Arrows
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STREAM B (Sunday 26th May, 2019)
Power Dynamos Vs. Buildcon
Arthur Davies Stadium
15:00 hours
There’s not a lot of hope for Power Dynamos fans on the final day of the season, thanks to their draws and losses at home , they do not have any chance of making the top two. So its another season gone by and the dream of coming back into CAF postponed to the next season.
Now they are left to rely on some fortune of some kind here to beat Buildcon and hope Circuit City beat Nkana or actually they are hoping Nkana have a major collapse in their game to finish top of their rivals in Nkana.
Even the most ardent Power Dynamos fans would have a hard time being optimistic about their chances here and with Buildcon at that price it’s worth backing them in for another upset at Arthur Davies. But they don’t want to lose and would want to give it to their fans on the last day. Its a great game to watch.
Buildcon know a win here would take them to CAF they are also aware that a draw with Nkwazi failing to win in Lumwana is all they need. Am inclined more to a draw.
My Prediction: Power Dynamos 0-0 Buildcon
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Circuit City Vs. Nkana
Edwin Imboela
15:00hrs
So Short for Circuit, it was kind of fun while it lasted. The Super League’s one of worst defence will bid farewell to the competition who have failed to get the first round form back though they have picked a couple of draws of late. At one point it looked like Circuit City would survive but have just lost a lot of ground in the second round .
Nkana gave everything they had against Forest Rangers but ultimately fell short at the end . Its been a bad season short season for them and they will be happy this one is coming to an end to start all over again.
Its even tough to to bet for a Nkana win with some hope of survival for Circuit but Nkana have the capacity to get a win as Circuit will be panicking
My Prediction: Circuit City 0-1 Nkana
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Forest Rangers Vs. FC MUZA
Sunday 26th May, 2019 at 15:00 hours
Levy Mwanawasa
Ndola
It’s a dead rubber in the game were MUZA is coming to enjoy themselves and drop down to National Division One, in their final clash of their participation in the Super league.
Forest Rangers are not yet done, they are looking for a win to finish third above Nkwazi and that is very possible if the Policemen do not win in Lumwana and they beat MUZA here.
But as is always the case with Forest Rangers, you wonder when their bubble will burst. After four winless games , they bursted with a win in Kitwe , for the first time against Nkana away and it will be disappointing if that big victory is followed with another drop of points game.
MUZA have drawn their last three games and they would celebrate ending with a win. They only have one win against Napsa Stars all season and I don’t have a lot of faith in them to get anything here away from home so I’ll follow those numbers and back a perfect finish for Forest Rangers who are welcoming perhaps the best player of the season in Austin Muwowo back after missing the Nkana clash .
My Prediction: Forest Rangers 2-0 MUZA
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Lumwana Radiants Vs. Nkwazi
Lumwana Grounds
15:00 hours
This is another game that could see quite a few goals in it… and means anything other than deciding who gets into CAF or Lumwana Radiants getting booted out of the super league.
A win coupled by a loss for Buildcon sends Nkwazi to CAF while sending Lumwana down if Circuit City beat Nkana. Both are bringing pretty similar form to the final round of the Super League season.
If you want to talk yourself into a play for this game then there’s value to be, but with too many variables in play it’s a stay away for me.
I don’t think Nkwazi will make it to CAF with a draw which I think they will get.
My Prediction: Lumwana Radiants 0-0 Nkwazi
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NAPSA Stars Vs. Green Eagles
Woodlands Stadoum
15:00 hours,
Live on Supersport
As difficult as it will be for Green Eagles to back up from their celebrations of a Champions League euphoria spot, they still have this game to play and Fathi needs to finish strong.
With all celebrations, fans printing T shirts, confirmation of the ABSA Cup , plus the travel to Lusaka added to a tough opponent, this has the makings of an upset.
Not that it will matter too much since they are already stream B Champions even with a loss as long as Buildcon don’t catch up , it is all well for Toonka Tweende.
With their focus on ABSA CUP and a Super League Play off match on 8th June next month, I think we might see a below par Eagles performance and Napsa Stars would love to end their season on a high note.
My Prediction: Napsa Stars 2-1 Green Eagles
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MY THOUGHTS
Its been a worth while journey for the teams , players and fans including us that write about these games.
Congratulations FAZ , this was a well thought plan and actually gives you an idea on how National Division One should run. Two streams because for sure , the one National Division One doesn’t give any possible indication.
Back to the Games…. Am going for ZANACO, ZESCO UNITED, BUILDCON AND GREEN EAGLES FOR CAF
Go and enjoy yourselves
