Can the Leopards navigate through a thick forest?…. As Nakambala welcome Fole Malembe
The MTN/FAZ Zambia Super League entered week 21 on Saturday and will continue with Mazabuka based side Nakambala Leopards welcoming highly spirited Forest Rangers of Ndola in a match to be played at Nakambala Stadium in Mazabuka in the Southern part of the country this afternoon.
RECENT FORM
The home side Nakambala Leopards have been very inconsistent having only managed to collect 2 points in their last 6 encounters. The Sweetboys managed to hold bitter rivals Green Eagles before holding Zesco United in a rescheduled game they dominated which was played at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola last Wednesday.
Nakambala Leopards have failed to take advantage of home ground in the recent past with Red Arrows and Lusaka Dynamos getting the better of the limping Leopard who are swimming deep in relegation waters.
The scoring drought continues with Nakambala and since their top goalscorer, Elias Maguri has been away for some time now only Felix Bulaya has managed to score a single goal.
The away Team Forest Rangers come into this match with 3 wins, two draws and just one loss in their last six matches and are unbeaten in their last five away games.
Fole Malembe is coming from a huge derby win over Buildcon in a seven-goal thriller.
KEY PLAYERS
Nakambala Leopards midfielder Felix Bulaya, A seasoned campaigner for the SweetBoys scored his first Super League goal against Forest Rangers in 2016 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium. The speedy winger runs the show on the right side, Pace is his strength accompanied by some trickery. On his day the winger is a thorn in the fresh of the defenders.
In defense young defensive kingpin Timothy Banda playing his debut Super League season for Nakambala Leopards has proven to be reliable in defense and has stepped up on many occasions in defense turning into a dependable defense pillar.
Upfront Patrick Ngoma, The new darling of the fans is another big asset for Nakambala Leopards. He has the skill to dribble, excellent ball control with a big body to hold the ball if he can be a bit more clinical today, Nakambala can easily carry the day.
On the visitors’ side, Zikuru Adams, A modern-day striker who can dribble past defenders and bang goals from range in stylish fashion is a threat Nakambala needs to thwart somehow.
Zikuru is the club, top scorer, with eight goals and is an excellent finisher in front of the goal.
Silwaba Lameck, The former Nakambala Leopards winger comes back home to face his former employers and may haunt them if they are not careful.
Ballack, as he is fondly called, is full of pace and excellent ball distributions on the pitch another threat Nakambala has to prevent.
Webster ‘Mauzito’ Muzaza is another player Nakambala Leopards need to watch with a keen eye as he can be an even bigger threat once allowed to operate freely and orchestrate moves for the visitors.
EXPECTATIONS
Nakambala Leopards have managed back to back draws against big teams which will help their morale and they will be hoping to get back to winning ways.
It’s a match they can win being at home and looking at how they are playing but Forest Rangers are the favorites if the current form is anything to go by.
In the last nine meetings, the results have been tough to call with three wins for either side and three draws.
Will the Leopard be able to explore a thick Forest? Only ninety minutes will tell.