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ZSL Preview: What to Expect in Week 5

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This weekend will see us complete a quarter of the transitional league and the first four weeks have served up interesting battles.

Match day 5 is on the horizon and a lot could come out of it. Largely influenced by the previous rounds. Here are five picks of what to expect.

1. The Backlash

The injured ones and fully knowing they didn’t do well last week and the last four (04) match days overall will want to get it right this week and hit back.

Green Buffaloes have only one win and will be trying to put an end to media reports circulating of division within the footballing camp at Arakan barracks. They could not follow up their good 3 nil win over Nakambala in a loss last week against Red Arrows. Only three points will do for them but it won’t be easy against Kabwe Warriors.

In stream B, Forest Rangers will be looking for a bounce back. They were ‘shocked’ by Circuit City last time out.

After a strong start, they got a reality check and if they still have thoughts of picking one of the CAF slots next season, their game against Lumwana Radiants has to be taken as one bearing a ‘must win’ tag.

The added spice to this match up will be the battle between the Mutapa brothers in the respective dug outs as Oswald meets Perry.

2. Momentum Seekers

For sustained success and meaningful progress, consistency is key. Without consistency it is hard to build momentum and both matches involving Power Dynamos Vs Circuit City and Red Arrows Vs Lusaka Dynamos are for sides seeking momentum.

It is very tight in both streams and one win can change a lot. Only last week Power Dynamos moved from the cusp of dropping into relegation waters to within 3 points off the top and that’s how quickly it can change.

For Circuit City, it appears they have embraced the need for points early enough and will take this match as another chance to keep them matching on.

Both Arrows and Lusaka Dynamos have quality but haven’t yielded much from it thus far. At the end of their match, we will be quarter way in the league and they will want not to be too far off their targets at quarter mark of the season.

3. Maintaining Status Quo

For those who have had it going well, they know how a lake side view from a position of comfort is… Very Satisfying.

Green Eagles were usually at the dizzy heights of the top  in their Division 1 days but now sit on top of a stream among the elite and will want to keep it going in their match against a tricky Nkwazi side.

After all, if they have to play in CAF competitions soon, only finishing as one of the top 2 will be good enough and the thought itself should be motivation enough to seek maintenance of the status quo.

4. Life Line Seekers

‘Ulubilo lwa mwipi, Ku bangila’ is an icibemba expression loosely translated as ‘to win a race, those with shorter strides must start earlier than others’ or simply put, the hard and smart work should start early for victory to come.

The only three winless sides in the league will be seeking to hold on for dear life. Each week that passes leaves them barely keeping their heads above water.

The sad reality for FC MUZA, Prison Leopards and Lumwana Radiants is that to survive in this league matches must be won and they are not doing that.

They will fight till the end in their matches and if it be required, the kitchen sink will be thrown in.

5. Goals Galore

The last match day was the least scoring of all match days so far this season with only 14 scored.

A major factor was that free scoring Zanaco FC who had contributed a high 28% of goals in the previous match days were held to a barren draw by Zesco United.

Against a defensively generous Nakambala Leopards, Zanaco should set the pattern for the weekend as this match just like others in week 5 are pregnant with goals. Its delivery time.

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