The recently concluded international break offered a great experience for Zambian fans. Back-to-back victories in the Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON) qualifiers helped us to temporarily forget the disappointments our clubs often bring. Spoiler alert: League football is back! It is about time we braced ourselves for what respective clubs will deliver.
Week 12 promises to be one of the most thrilling weekends in the Super League, to the point where I don’t even know where to begin. If I had my way, I would have previewed all the matches, but I was unsuccessful in negotiating for extra space with my editor.
With that said, here is what I am looking forward to this weekend.
Master vs. Apprentice: The Ultimate Showdown
Earlier this year, Chisi Mebwe shared how veteran trainer George Lwandamina inspired his journey from a kit master at Nkoloma Stadium to becoming a league title-winning coach. From our interview, I could tell that Mbewe holds immense respect for Lwandamina, yet fate has an interesting twist in store this weekend: the two will face off in Lwandamina’s first game as Nchanga Rangers coach.
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In this match, both men would wish each team walked away with three points if they could, as their teams are in desperate need of them for different reasons. Arrows’ target is to keep the pace on the title chasing pack, while Rangers are determined to leave the relegation zone.
During his unveiling, Lwandamina told his players that football is the easiest game to play. It will be interesting to see how his side, which has not won a game since August, will validate this statement when they face the defending champions.
Story of a once devoted gardener
Imagine a once-devoted gardener returning to the very garden he once nurtured; this time though, he has the intent of wreaking havoc on the flowers he once cherished! This mirrors exactly what Mwenya Chipepo aims to do as his current club, Nkana, faces his former side, Forest Rangers.
On October 26, Nkana unveiled Chipepo as their new head coach, plucking him from the same forest they had picked his predecessor, Ian Bakala. Chipepo’s departure did not sit well with the management at Forest, especially since he left alongside his assistant trainer, Chipolopolo legend Christopher Katongo.
Twenty-nine days after this ‘divorce,’ Chipepo, who is on a three-match winning streak, returns to Forest with the intent of ensuring his former team remains winless since his departure.
It will not be easy, Forest may just behave like your ‘mad’ ex and dent Chipepo’s current clean record at Nkana.
It is unfair that I am ending my write-up without highlighting the biggest game of the weekend, Zesco United vs. Power, and a potentially interesting game between Atletico Lusaka and Mufulira Wanderers, but like I said guys, this is the only space my ‘mean’ editor could allow.
