THE MTN/FAZ Super League swings back into action this afternoon in what promises to be one of the most entertaining campaign in Zambia domestic football.

Defending champions Zanaco will have to work double shift if they are to return the trophy against the likes of the prestigious powerful Power Dynamos, record title holders Nkana and “Team ya Ziko” Zesco United.

Mumamba Numba’s Zanaco bagged the title last season in fashionable style winning 25 games drawing six and losing only three. The bankers amassed 81 points scoring 71 goals allowing only 16.

It will be a tough ask to expect Zanaco to replicate that form considering the team has lost a host of key players that were instrumental to their astonishing display in 2016.

In a recent interview to local media, Zanaco coach Mumamba Numba admitted that the Xapit Boys may struggle this season owing to a mass exodus of key players at the close of the previous campaign.

Zanaco’s loss may be other team’s gain, Zesco United have already made a statement of intent to bring the title back to the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium trophy cabinet.

Last Sunday the beat Nkana to the Samuel ‘Zoom’ Ndhlovu Charity Shield with a 2-0 score line at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.

This is Serbian coach Zlatko Krmpotic’s first trophy at the Ndola giants within monts of joining them to replace George Lwandamina who left for some greener pasture in neighbouring Tanzania.

Krmpotić, a proven winner has already made his intentions know.

“We have three fronts; the Confederation Cup, domestic cup and the league. Last year, Zesco had good results in the Champions League and I believe they can repeat that feat. I don’t want to say much but I want to make Zesco tick.” he said at his unveiling.

There is an air of expectations hovering over Zesco United fans and from the look of things the club presents the greatest threat to Zanaco’s title defence this season.

Zesco will seek to go neck to neck with Zanaco after missing out of the title last season with only nine points. Unlike Zanaco, Zesco have retained the core of its team.

This is however not going to be a two horse race between the two ‘Zs’ of Zambian football.

Power Dynamos and Nkana will have a say as to where the trophy will end up at the end of the season. The two bitter rivals have set their sights at ensuring league trophy makes a 360 kilometres trip from Lusaka to Kitwe.

The two Kitwe giants are keen to ensure that they are not relegated to mere participants in the advent of the new challenge posed by Zanaco and Zesco.

Power Dynamos patron Hanson Sindowe has not mince his words in challenging the team to bring the trophy to Arthur Davis Stadium come December 2017.

Power last smelled league success six years ago, making it the third in the 20 years under the sponsorship of electricity giants Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC).

The last six years it has been the case of always the bridesmaid and never the bride for Power Dynamos, but Coach Dan Kabwe will be looking to change the status quo in his second stint at the club.

Nkana may be revered as the record league title champions boasting of 12 titles, three better than Mufulira Wanderers but that is not enough consolation for the highly demanding Nkana fans.

Anything short of league or cup success this year my just cause heads to roll at Nkana Stadium.

Zeddy Saileti has a golden opportunity to be among the few coaches who bagged the league at the first time of asking as head coach.  As to whether he has the team to deliver the league, that is a debate for another day.

There are other teams outside the top four that may pull a surprise and win the league, but that will take a miracle with the magnitude of that of walking on water.

While there might be dark horses, the championship is likely to be won by any of the teams in last season’s top four brackets, with no clear favourites among the four.

Let the games begin.