Who will end up winning the Super League in December?
With the top six almost running away from the rest of the Super League competitors and punditry so all have the numerical chance of bagging the 2017 championship.
Bwezani takes you through the clubs that are fighting to lift the prized Zambia football trophy and accesses their chances.
Table toppers Zanaco will kickstart the ball rolling.
SENSATIONAL ZANACO FC
Deservedly so as odds-on favourites to be crowned champions for second year running, there are all manner of signs that suggest Zanaco will put their defeat against Green BUFFALOES behind them and maintain their grip at the top of the table.
A one-point margin over all but one team is a healthy advantage at this stage of the season, while a number of their players know what it takes to win the Super League after doing so in 2016. Numba Mumamba has rejuvenated the squad this season when we thought the exodus was going to be their achillies hill. Zanaco does score goals, they defend too well and they are most certainly have proven that they the team to beat.
WEAKNESSES
There are few immediate concerns in the Zanaco setup! if he founds a term with possession football, the team tend to struggle.
Numba’s overreliance in his regular central defence should they suffer injuries could hurt the team in a big way, while the gaffer has yet to show faith in other defenders, Ziyo Tembo looks to be the main man!
ZANACO CHANCES
Zanaco are firm favourites to win the title but they have to look out for Zesco United who have the initiative of winning their remaining games and no matter what ZANACO would do, they would end up with the title in Ndola should Zesco win all.
CURRENT FORM
At par with Zesco United having lost one, drawn one and win four in the last six games just shows how determined this Zanaco team could actually be in the final phase to bag the title.
They count four losses the whole season so far which is the lowest in the league as of week 31.
DISTRACTION
National call up will be viewed as the major issue that may deter progress and the matter of the CHAN as the major distraction. Zanaco have a number of players that Wedson Nyirenda can do away with and am seeing Club Vs Country debate as the season goes to the wire.
EXPERIENCE
A side that has not changed its personnel a vast amount since winning the Super League title last season should not be fazed by challenging for the title – Yes they lost a number of players but they regrouped and they look a real force to go for it.
KEY PLAYERS
Zanaco’s success this season has largely been a team affair but perhaps a they should start worrying why they have not managed to be the best defensive team that we saw last season.
But pushed for key players I would say a revitalised Augustine Mulenga and Ernest Mbewe are some of the players that are making this team tick. Defence men of Ziyo and George are still key.
REMAINING FIXTURES
Having already played Zesco United twice this season, Zanaco now only have Power Dynamos, Lusaka Dynamos and Buildcon still to face of the supposed big boys of 2017, with an even split of home and away games among those four fixtures. What could prove crucial is a relatively easy run-in with Real Nakonde, Nkwazi and Forest Rangers rounding off the season in December.
CAN THEY WIN THE TITLE?
They will be close ! They will push for points but the title will be a bridge too far to decide now. Its game on.
