On wednesday Sensational Zanaco drew with a scoreless board in a rescheduled week 15. However four days later Nkana Football Club have a seemingly daunting task on Sunday as they play the 2016 champions Zanaco at Nkana Stadium.
Kalampa enter into week 26 of FAZ Super league on sixth on the table with 41 points from 25 matches played while Zanaco are fourth on 44 points after playing 23 matches with 2 games in hand.
The two sides last clashed earlier this year in Lusaka with the match ending in a 0-0 stalemate.
Prior to Sunday’s match, Zanaco held Lusaka Dynamos to a scoreless draw on Wednesday in the Week 15 rescheduled match played at Nkoloma Stadium. But the other two last games had shown Zanaco’s supremacy. First a 2-1 victory against Nchanga and then 1 – 0 victory in the far north at relegated bound Real Nakonde.
On the other hand, Nkana toiled to a 1-0 victory over stubborn City of Lusaka on Sunday. The other two games saw beating Zesco United but following week fans witnessed a showdown at Ichilata when the visiting Buffaloes toughed up muscle to contain a 3-1 victory.
In head to head statistics, Zanaco and Nkana have met 13 times since 2010. Both Nkana and Zanaco have won 4 games each while the rest 5 games have ended in draws.
From the six home meetings in Kitwe, Nkana have been strong claiming 3 wins compared to Zanaco’s 2 wins. The Bankers last won a league match against Nkana in Kitwe via 3-1 score line and went on to claim the league in 2012.
Zanaco are the second most offensive team in the league having scored 33 goals. The Numba Mumamba tutored side have conceded 12 goals, won 11 games, drawn 11 games and lost 1 game.
Nkana have scored 30 goals, allowed 25 goals, drawn 5 games, lost 8 games and won 12 games. Last year, Zanaco beat Nkana 2-0 in the first leg match at Heroes National Stadium before Nkana thumped the Lusaka side 4-2 in the reverse fixture played at Nkana Stadium.
Meanwhile, Nkana head into Sunday’s game without 5 players who are nursing injuries. These are striker Ronald “sate sate” Kampamba, defender Given Sinyangwe, Aaron Katebe, goalkeeper Moses Mapulanga and winger Simon Bwalya.
However, the Bestone Chambeshi’s side has been bolstered by the return of Fred “Soutra” Tshimenga and midfielder Dan Silavwe from injury. The duo played in Nkana’s 1-0 away win over City of Lusaka on Sunday.
Additionally Kalampa will be without captain Donashano Malama who is with the Zambia National Team. These setback might play advantage to Zanaco and claim the sensation.
However, comparatively Sensational Zanaco also head into the match with the absence of Toaster Nsabata, Augustine Mulenga, Captain Ziyo Tembo and Ernest Mbewe.
Past Record
2017: Zanaco 0 – 0 Nkana
2016: Zanaco 2 – 0 Nkana
2016: Nkana 4 – 2 Zanaco
2015: Zanaco 1 – 0 Nkana
2015: Nkana 1 – 1 Zanaco
2014: Zanaco 1 – 2 Nkana
2014: Nkana 2 – 0 Zanaco
2013: Zanaco 1 – 1 Nkana
2013: Nkana 2 – 1 Zanaco
2012: Nkana 1 – 3 Zanaco
2012: Zanaco 0 – 0 Nkana
2011: Nkana 0 – 2 Zanaco
2010: Zanaco 1 – 1 Nkana
FAZ Super League – Week 26
Green Buffaloes Vs NAPSA Stars
Forest Rangers Vs Buildcon
Zesco United Vs City of Lusaka
Red Arrows Vs Nkwazi
Nkana Vs Zanaco
Green Eagles Vs Power Dynamos
Nchanga Rangers Vs Lumwana Radiants
Mufulira Wanderers Vs Lusaka Dynamos
Nakambala Leopards Vs Real Nakonde
Konkola Blades Vs Kabwe Warriors