The football season gets underway this weekend in a new calendar set up of August to May with the division one leagues trimmed to Provincial for those who did not make it to the National Division One.
In Division One South Six teams were promoted from division two South Chikuni Coops, Livingstone Youth, Young Pirates, Eastlands, Chikankata Diggers and Zambeef Sinazongwe to fill up the gaps left by National League promoted teams and two western teams who went to there province.
These ‘small’ teams will be meeting the big boys of Division One football as they all clash with the aim of winning promotion to the newly formed Eden University National Division One League.
With the football Association of Zambia changing the trend from Zones to each province playing on there on this seasons campaign will be exciting and fun as the 16 teams will go to battle in search of being the first team to win promotion in a new format league.
Some of the first week matches we will witness the Tourist Derby at Chitanki Grounds as Blue Arrows will be hosting Landlords Livingstone Pirates with bragging rights at stake, The two teams will not be taking the game simple like a normal league match but like a final.
Newcomers Livingngstone Youth and Diggers will square off at mulwani, Zambeef will host Zesco, Young Pirates at Maramba and Eastlands visiting the machine Kascol Rangers.
The Favourites to go all the way in this new format are Kascol Rangers who nearly went to National League, Blue Arrows if they maintain their hunger. Others with a chance are Livingstone Pirates, Maamba Energy, and Zesco Vic Falls though no one knows how the other teams have prepared as most have new players in their ranks acquired to beef up the teams in readiness for the season.
We are in for a great season as the 16 teams are promising a mouth-watering season one only hopes that no walkovers will be recorded.
