LOOKING AHEAD – FAZ SUPER LEAGUE SEASON PREVIEW 2018

Written by Bwezani Mbewe

As another Super League season draws near, Bwezani looks at the potential movers and shakers and possible relegation bound teams stated as those that possibly going to end in the top four and finally the winner of the 2018 title. After a three-month hiatus, a brand new season of FAZ Super League will be back and possibly kicking off in the third or last week of March 2018.

The start of the season is expected to be interesting because to start with, very few know what is happening in Lunwana, at Power Dynamos, Forest Rangers even at Lusaka Dynamos. That is the situation in various teams. We can definitely look forward to some surprising results as the big clubs get their key players match fit and integrate the new signings into the teams during the first couple of weeks of the campaign.

The last season was stunning , with four clubs in the running for the prize until late on the last day, even as Power Dynamos, One of the most successful club in the Super League era, dropped out of contention late on last season.

With the kick off in CAF preliminary rounds, fans all around the country get ready for their weekly fix of football, I try to analyses each team’s prospects for the coming season.

THE TITLE CONTENDERS

POWER DYNAMOS

As last year, it looks like fierce competition at the top. I start with Power Dynamos. Only one man is the talk of the town right now—Kelvin Kaindu—successful wherever he has managed and, arguably, occupying one of the biggest post in Zambian club football currently. The experiment with Dan Kabwe failed last season, as Power Dynamos finished sixth, without any major silverware in their kitty.
Subsequently, the club have no African football to look forward to this year. This might, however, be a blessing in disguise with fresher players during the run-in and clearer targets.

On the transfer front, the board has realized that they need reinforcements—because without a doubt players like Patson Daka and Fwayo Tembo were never replaced. So, quite contrary to their transfer market strategy last year, they don’t have to be shy of spending huge sums, even if that means signing a player like Ernest Mbewe for a whopping fee will be allowed, otherwise without players, nothing much will be expected of Kelvin Kaindu.

The team has also has been bolstered by the singing of Lameck Kafwaya to cover the central attacking position—an area where they have been lacking for a few seasons. Whether he can fit in that shoe and ask him for the average of 20 goals is another discussion for another day.

Realistically, though, a CAF Confederation spot is probably the most they can achieve, unless Kelvin surprises us with better signings with players who are able to take the mantle and fight for the team, winning the title, better still finishing in the Champions League spot, looks a bridge too far on this Power Dynamos team.

NKANA

Nkana finished last season on a high—ending their 3-year absence in the CAF games by qualifying for the African tour. That sense of euphoria has carried into the transfer window as well, with the inclusion of Idris Mbombo. Adept at playing with both feet and able to play as a lone striker, through the middle or up top, Iddriss has the potential to bring out the best in Ronald Kampamba.

Walter Bwalya, too, should be able to provide the team with more options when the fixtures start piling up. I do not know about his frame of mind but he will still be key should he stay with the Kitwe giants.

Nkana’s biggest star could well turn out to be Iddriss, the highly rated fitness and conditioning striker brought in from Asia after leaving Zesco last season.

However, it cannot be denied that the defense looks rather weak, with the age of Joseph Musonda catching up, and the overlapping of Diego Apanene, coupled with the exit of Donashano Malama this shows signs of vulnerability and Bestone should be aware of this. Gift Zulu alone from Forest Rangers do not sort out this challenge.

Plugging these gaps in the squad might be the difference between finishing as champions and coming up a few places short.

ZANACO

The side, known for their defensive prowess, have signed star players like Rusike, Chavda, Pitroipa and former Nkana striker Guily Manziba. They have also brought back Jack Chileshe from his international spell and he seems set to usurp fan favourite Isaac Chansa in the middle of the pack of course Rusike looks to have gotten that area so well already. The attacking additions particularly that of Rusike might denote a change in tactics from Numba Mumamba, especially against weaker oppositions.

The squad looks good enough to win the title, and expectations will be high. Numba is also under a lot of pressure after an uncharacteristic failure to defend the title last season but the Barclays Cup was a face-saver. If he can get the best out of Martin Phiri, Chavda Maisha, there might well be red ribbons around the trophy in December. If not, they may just come to rue their decision to let go of Augustine Mulenga, otherwise this Zanaco team is looking very good and without a doubt, favourite for the title.

BUILDCON

Buildcon have made impressive captures in Given Singuluma, Rahim Osman, Lawrence Chungu, and they are likely to have Brian Mwila. I do not know anything about the Italian Coach but his CV is impressive and seems he is another veteran who knows African football like the back of his hand. The Kopala team will be looking to break into the top four and possibly push for the title this season. Even if they do not, it is hard to see the team doing any worse than their 9th position last season. Fans can expect Buildcon to do well comfortably, but if you are a neutral, you would actually see this team challenging for the title. Only those with inclinations to the other clubs will argue with is notion.

GREEN BUFFALOES

The club has invested in Youremember Banda and a number of players. Generally, no big names brought in especially on the CAF tours.

If Youremember Banda steps up and finds his rhythm with the experienced Friday Samu, Felix Katongo, then Green Buffaloes might just be the dark horse in the race once again. A lot, though, will depend on how they can handle the rigors of the African tour, which looks to be in tatters. At this moment, it seems like an outside chance, and the club may do well to retain their Champions League status and make a push for the title again next this year.

Otherwise, they are lacking the depth to go for the title.

ZESCO UNITED

Known for being good examples in administration, the latest happenings at the club left everyone shocked with the manner they relieved off their EXCO members while preparing for the CAF Champions League Preliminary rounds. Am not sure if that has the potential to disrupt the play on the pitch but that was offside for the team.

Defending champions Zesco United had a quiet off-season, as they believed they had a team to carry them forward. Still, they have added the experienced Adams Zikiru as a backup to Jesse Were, striker from Nchanga Rangers, and Logic Chin’gandu from Forest Rangers as competition to Kambole. Solomon Sakala- the latter on a permanent deal from Napsa Stars.

The team look good; however, the 0-0 defeat at the hands of ZKU in the preliminary round should serve as a wakeup call to the team. Their bench strength maybe not be as strong as one expect from a defending champions.

However, with a side that did not need much change, there is no reason why they cannot be champions two years in a row. This, though, may also depend on Odiambo remaining fit and in form throughout the season. We saw what happens when he is out of the team last season. The big ask though will be on the technical bench. I still do not believe Tenant Chembo is the right man for Zesco United this season.

THE MIDDLE TABLE COMPETITION

KABWE WARRIORS

Having gotten rid of Elijah Chikwanda after a slightly disappointing campaign, Kabwe Warriors will be expecting Tenant Chilumba to do as well as he did with Napsa Stars in the first quarter of the 2017 season. Warriors underachieved last season, not able to properly utilize the players that they got at the beginning of that season. They quietly have a number of good players, like Scot Ngokeni and the players we are waiting to see after the transfer window.

The team still looks incapable of mounting a serious title challenge. With last season’s top eight teams further strengthening their line-up, and a resurgent Zanaco on the horizon, a middle table spot may well be the height of their realistic ambitions this time.

LUMWANA RADIANTS

Last year, Lumwana Radiants amassed their highest ever tally in the Super League. The club has done really well in the summer window. They have signed loan deals with the highly rated Ronald Chibwe and the experienced Nawa Nawa after hugely successful spells with Forest Rangers.

With major exits of Andrew Banda, Chanda Mushili, Chisanga Lukwembe and Eddie Sinyangwe those are big names who were first team starters. The squad seems settled, and should bear the fruits of stability and familiarity. However, with the pressure of a very good season last time out to contend with, Radiants might think about adding a bit more depth to their ranks. Once that is done, it should be ready to pounce on a top-six spot if a couple of major sides slip up. Otherwise, the team is odds on favorites over other contenders for a spot in the top seven, and a potential qualification to the Barclays Cup.

NAPSA STARS

Changes. Huge changes.
That is the way to sum up what Napsa’s actions during the transfer window is like. Linos Makwaza will continue as head coach but he has a serious challenging task of replacing a big chunk of players. Six first-teamers have left the club. However, until now, major reinforcements have not been made to the public.
As things stand, it will be difficult for Napsa Stars to match their decent form from last season, where they ultimately finished 7th.

Additional reinforcements without a doubt need to be obtained in the remainder of the window, the club may yet stake a claim for a better finish. It will undoubtedly be tough to do that though, as new players brought in from now will take their time to integrate into the team.

FOREST RANGERS

A Revolution continues at Forest Rangers, and with the arrivals of a number of players in the Forest Rangers squad, its impressive and they have not lost a high number of players like in the past. The team’s attacking force has also been bolstered significantly if what am getting from close sources is to go by. I will not be able to mention them yet.

The only major loss has been that of Logic Ching’andu to Zesco United. However, he has been replaced adequately by news coming from the team. Hence Perry Mutapa’s men should at least be expected to hold on to their top half status this season, but with a decent squad, the team does have the credentials to land a Barclays spot. Anything less than that is bound to be a disappointment for the passionate fan base.

RED ARROWS

Red Arrows had a very impressive season last time, achieving their best ever League finish of 10th in two seasons.

It now looks a better-rounded team. The style revolution continues this season as well, with impressive captures even outside the country and the capture of Eddie Sinyangwe from Lumwana Radiants.

These players are expected to provide the added depth to the team. Given Red Arrows probably underachieved last season with the hype of Honour Janza, any improvement should see them retaining their top half position or possibly chase the top four finish. If a couple of more favourites slip up (especially Lumwana Radiants, Forest rangers and Green Buffaloes), Arrows might get a chance to get back into the Elites of Zambian football once again after their 2004 campaign were they won the league. However, it may be a bridge too far for this season, realistically.

KITWE UNITED

Kitwe United have come back to the Super League after going down in 2006. However, the team should really have no problems in staying up this season. They have retained a core group of very high quality players who are competitive and stayed with the team for a couple of seasons now, as well as backed by a very strong and passionate fans of Kitwe.

The support they are receiving from the local council should ideally see the team return to the Super League to stay. Theirs is to survive and that will be a big achievement.

NKWAZI

Nkwazi continue with the same story of doing the same things that keep them in the same postions every season. Signing players with the same results without major changes. This team will not be relegated but of course with a lot of drama on the touchline from Coach Albert Mpande.

NAKAMBALA LEOPARDS

Nakambala Leopards flirted dangerously with relegation last term. However, one always had a feeling that the squad did not do justice to its potential and was helped in no way by many factors. That last win at Nchanga Rangers on the last day have the potential of misleading the team thinking everything is okay.

The club has made impressive captures especially with the coach in Patrick Phiri who is already dreaming of winning the title. He should be able to steer the team well clear of relegation this time.

NCHANGA RANGERS

Nchanga Rangers was one of the stories of the season last time. After seemingly being down in the dumps following a horrid start, they recovered strongly under new coach after Bruce Mwape was shown the door though they ended the season with almost the fear of going down.

However, with the departure of Adams Zikiru, it will be a challenge for them to keep up the good work done by him upfront. Zikiru scored critical goals for this team last season and it is because of him that they will be playing super league football this term around.

Looks like the team has settled for the coaches at hand, however, if the managerial appointment goes wrong, they might even end up grappling with relegation, AGAIN.

GREEN EAGLES

Green Eagles had a disappointing campaign last time. After a very good start with the two wins in their first two games and being lauded as the new giant, playing rough but getting the points, achieving the 13th spot, with an outside relegation threat for the second part of the season, was the last thing the fans expected.

This time the club has not added too much to its squad and actually, I have not heard of any official signings apart from a couple from Nakambala Leopards. The club still needs to replace Mwila Phiri in the center of the park and rumours of others planning to leave continue haunting the Club. However, even with the departure of Mwila Phiri, If Spencer Sautu is staying, the team is not expected to lack in goals.

Eagles should have enough firepower to remain well clear of relegation. Beating back late interest from South African Clubs for Spencer Sautu may be crucial for Green Eagles.

The Relegation Dogfight

Last season, the relegation battle was as interesting as the fight for the title, with no less than eight teams in danger of slipping down quite late into the season. This season too is set to be as exciting, with very little separating some of the teams at the bottom of the table from each other.

The newly promoted clubs, New Monze Swallows, National Assembly and Kabwe Youth Soccer Academy should expect a tough welcome. With no real standout talent in their teams and no significant additions in the transfer window, they will most likely find it hard to survive.

Their best hope of survival will eventually be Kitwe United, Green Eagles, and Nchanga Rangers doing as badly as last time. That situation, though, is not entirely out of question as none of these clubs has done anything significant during the window to suggest otherwise.

The fans of these clubs should brace themselves for a nerve-wracking season although there is still time for things to change in the last three weeks of the transfer window.

However, as things stand at the moment, the teams projected to go down are National Assembly, New Monze Swallows and Kabwe Youth Soccer Academy.
Interesting Season to look out for
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MY SEASON PROSPECT AT THE END OF THE 2018 SEASON

1. Zanaco – Champion
2. Zesco United
3. Buildcon
4. Lusaka Dynamos
5. Nkana
6. Power Dynamos
7. Red Arrows
8. Green Buffaloes
9. Forest Rangers
10. Lumwana Radiants
11.Kabwe Warriors
12. Napsa Stars
13.Green Eagles
14.Nakambala Leopards
15.Nkwazi
16.Kitwe United
17.Nchanga Rangers
18.National Assembly
19. New Monze Swallows
20. Kabwe Youth Soccer Academy