BWEZANI ON WEEK 17 IN THE SUPER LEAGUE
Can Mufulira Wanderers knock out ZANACO in the CAF hunt?
SATURDAY – 18/05/19
STREAM A
Green Buffaloes Vs Kitwe United
Edwin Imboela Stadium
13:00hrs
It would just sum up the season for both of these clubs if Kitwe United, winless in four games since and firmly rooted to the red zone of the Super League table decided to mess with MMufulira Wanderers’ survival hopes when they beat them 2-1 at Shinde. That was their last win.
Of course backing Kitwe United to do anything other than lose would not be a responsible move no matter how much Green Buffaloes have struggled lately.
With the price on offer for a GBFC win and any sort of reasonable value adds like total goals not adding much before getting ridiculous, this game screams “stay away”.
By the way the continuous win or picking of points of Mufulira Wanderers relegates Kitwe United.
My Prediction: Green Buffaloes 1-0 Kitwe United.
*****************************
Prison Leopards Vs Kabwe Warriors
Godfrey ‘Ucar’ Chitalu
15:00hrs
Outside of Zesco United and Red Arrows , Kabwe Warriors are the form side in the Super League with out a loss through out the whole season.
Unfortunately this run is a case of too little too late as Warriors look like they are still going to miss out of CAF if they dont pick up maximum points here in a local derby .
But having watched Kabwe Warriors , It does present an interesting upset opportunity here if you can talk yourself into backing Prison Leopards , which might take a lot of talking.
They did pick up a draw at home last week against Mufulira Wanderers and they will be favourite for the win here but Prison Leopards have not been very bad here and they are aware survival in the super league may just depend on this one game.
As kickoff approaches I might be able to talk myself into putting a small bet on a Prison Leopards upset but for now I’ll play it safe and take Kabwe Warriors as favorite to win this one because they strain set pressure to perform .
My Prediction: Prison Leopards 0-1 Kabwe Warriors
**************************
Red Arrows Vs Nakambala Leopards
Nkoloma Stadium
15:00hrs
One side have beaten Red Arrows in the Super League at the Nkoloma Stadium and after that no team has managed maximum points when Red Arrows is at home.
That loss was followed by a scoreless draw at home against Kabwe Warriors before getting back to winning ways against ZANACO in a 2-1 victory.
Perhaps the only reason you can back Red Arrows to win with something resembling confidence here is the fact they are at home.
Defensively they are better than most of the recent seasons and they will be favourite here against the team that has beaten them three times here and ofcourse the other three wins in 21 games came in Mazabuka. Nakambala Leopards needs a point to survive but could easily survive this weekend with a loss depending on what happens elsewhere .
My Prediction: Red Arrows 2-0 Nakambala Leopards
*********************************
Mufulira Wanderers Vs Zanaco
Shinde Stadium
15:00hrs
Live on SuperSport
This slate of games could shape the race for CAF spots , its tight up there and this encounter has all the ingredients of what is called an epic finish. Mighty needs to be sure of survival while ZANACO wants CAF.
ZANACO have just three points from their last three games which, compared to the teams around them isn’t that bad.
Mufulira Wanderers is turning up for the relegation fight and could see this game as a great chance to deal with being a massive underdog, just like they will be against Green Buffaloes in a week’s time.
Realistically, I can’t back ZANACO with any confidence at their current price here so I’m going to roll with the value and take what is a very good Mufulira side to get something in this game. Before I go, Attram Kwame , former ZANACO will be in line to face his former team and possibly score .
Mufulira Wanderers are not safe , a loss here and any win of either Prison or Kitwe United takes them back in the red zone.
My Prediction: Mufulira Wanderers 2-2 ZANACO
**********************
SUNDAY -19/05/19
Lusaka Dynamos Vs Zesco United
Nkoloma Stadium
15:00hrs
After being one of many, many sides to feel the wrath of fans, ZESCO United now has to turn their attention to defending the Super League title.
Nothing less than six points from their final two games will do and it would be foolish to overlook this game, especially considering their recent record when playing away at Lusaka Dynamos.
The last four games there have resulted in four wins for ZESCO United , if that doesn’t scream bogey ground, I don’t know what does. This is ZESCO United game and they are good in running away with the league when they are in these positions .
Like a few games this weekend, you could absolutely talk yourself into backing an upset here, but with the Champions League pretty much of reach, expect ZESCO United to go all out and put some pressure on Kabwe Warriors and ZANACO with a big win.
My Prediction: ZESCO United 2-0 Lusaka Dynamos
********************
STREAM B
Power Dynamos Vs Forest Rangers
Arthur Davies Stadium
15:00hrs
Another game with not much on the line as both of these teams secured their Super League positions for next season and both can no longer win the title but Forest Rangers have the outside chance of playing CAF Confederation Cup but they will be knocked out with any win for Nkwazi or Buildcon.
Forest Rangers will be flying after beating Power Dynamos 4-2 in the first leg and could still do a double for the first time in their history with the Kitwe giants.
Forest Rangers have only won once away at Arthur Davies Stadium and that was in 2011. I don’t think they will win this one, its always tough at Arthur Davies. A home win here.
My Prediction: Power Dynamos 1-0 Forest Rangers
*********************************
Nkwazi Vs Circuit City
Edwin Imboela Stadium
15:00hrs
Circuit City will be very glad to be playing in Lusaka this weekend, considering Lumwana Radiants are in Choma against league leaders and the truth is of the two (Lumwana or Circuit city ) will be going down to the National Division One next season.
The Lusaka side still need some sort of miracle to avoid the drop, needing to gain maximum points and leapfrog Lumwana Radiants in the remaining two matches. They are also doing bad in goal difference and even with a win coupled by a Radiants loss, Circuit will still be in the relegation zone with same points but inferior goal difference. Desperation is the best kind of motivator but it does leave a lot of room for interpretation about what could come next .
Nkwazi themselves knows a win here could actually take them to 30 points and possibly second if the Buildcon result go in their favour. But their form is not helping them as they have drawn their last four games and this looks to be their fifth draw in the row.
My Prediction: Nkwazi 0-0 Circuit City
**********************
MUZA Vs Napsa Stars
Nakambala Stadium
15:00hrs
While there are plenty of games with something on the line this weekend, this match has little more than pride on the line.
Napsa Stars is in great form but has been very guilty of playing to the level of their opponents in their last few matches.
Using that logic, they might struggle against a MUZA side with not much on the line themselves but have been playing their opponents close as well. yes they are going to Division One
The Pensioneers away form however hasn’t been all that bad this season so I have the confidence to back them for a win here. From the last 8 away games this season , Napsa Stars have won three at Lumwana, Circuit City and Forest Rangers with four draws meaning they have only lost once on the road . That loss only came at Nkana .
My Prediction: Circuit City 1-2 Napsa Stars
***********************
Green Eagles Vs Lumwana Radiants
Independence Stadium
14:00hrs
If Buildcon does slip up at Levy Mwanawasa, this game could be for the Super League title hunt in winning stream B, if they don’t, then it gives Green Eagles a huge edge going into the final day of the season.
At home I just can’t see Green Eagles losing to Lumwana Radiants here, especially after beating Lumwana in Lumwana earlier this season.
The question, like with most Green Eagles games is by how many goals and will they keep a clean sheet?
After struggling from April to pick up a win, Lumwana are not expected to win here and actually should be hoping Circuit City do not win in Lusaka otherwise they would be getting to the last game in fear of relegation. They areblosing this one.
My Prediction: Green Eagles 2-0 Lumwana Radiants
SUNDAY -19/05/19
Buildcon Vs Nkana
Levy Mwanawasa Stadium
15:00hrs
Live on Supersport
If things go right for Buildcon this weekend, they could clinch the CAF slot by beating Nkana and having Nkwazi and drop points.
The question is though, how on earth can you feel confident in a win here?
Nkana have scored very few goals in the recent past games while Buildcon are also struggling for goals hence you expect this to be a closed up game.
On top of that Bestone Chambeshi will have to juggle a depleted squad with a lot of injuries in his camp with fatigue finally cropping into his players .
Because of that I’m going to take Buildcon to get something out of this game.Perhaps their first win against Nkana.
My Prediction: Buildcon 2-1 Nkana