MY FINAL ANALYSIS OF THE 2017 FAZ MTN SUPER LEAGUE SEASON
Reliving the Final Day
One year ago, tension was seriously mounting as the countdown to the Super League finale kicked into gear, as the league title itself was decided with games to play before the final day. Zanaco went on to win the title.
For Relegation, teams were already decided and though Lusaka Dynamos and Nakambala Leopards were demoted, fate smiled at them with the increase of teams from 18 to 20.
Fast track to 2017 season final day ………
The 2017 campaign has proved as intriguing as always, but the last-day drama is set to be more intense than ever before.
Setting the Scene: The League Title Battle
Heading into the final game, the race for the title is the closest in many years.
Zesco United lead the league standings, with 71 points from their 37 games, while rival ZANACO are in second place with 70 points from 37 matches! The surprise package is Green Buffaloes who are also on 70 points but they are third due to their inferior goal difference against ZANACO.
Zesco United Interests
Tenant Chembo and his players know they simply have to win the last game on the final day to crown their sixth Super League title, assuming Zesco United lose their encounter, ZANACO will win the league with a win against Forest Rangers and then Green Buffaloes will have a chance of winning the title if the top two teams drop points.
Zesco United are facing Mufulira Wanderers at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, giving them an amazing chance to win the title on home turf.
Zanaco Interests
ZANACO are also at home, playing against Forest Rangers. A drop of points in Ndola is what the defending Champions are awaiting and only then do we expect celebrations at Sunset.
CAF Spots for Grabs
With a total of four spots for CAF next season, of course divided into Champions League and Confederation Cup places for clubs to aim for, the final day sees Zesco United, ZANACO, Green Buffaloes and Nkana all settled with the top four positions . But the battle will be who finishes in the top two for Champions League and third and fourth for Confederation Cup. All this will have to be decided on the last day.
A quick fleeting of the top four and Relegation aspect
Mufulira Wanderers face an away trip to Zesco United. Nkana in fourth play at home to Konkola Blades, and Green Eagles, in relegation danger, are away to Green Buffaloes, knowing a loss with a win of Mufulira Wanderers will send them to division one. Zanaco entertain Forest Rangers at Sunset. Nakambala Leopards are in the battle in Chingola against safe again, Nchanga Rangers
Relegation View
Three teams failed to last the course of the season, but there is still one relegation spot up for grabs—or better put, to avoid—on the last day.
City of Lusaka already been relegated and guaranteed last place after a poor season have yielded just 16 points, while Real Nakonde also went down, managing just 25 up to this point.
Konkola Blades is the third confirmed with 28 points and apparently all the three going down are the same teams that joined the super league this season.
A big indicator that clearly shows the level of football between the zones and the super league is too wide and perhaps giving us the indication that there should be something done to improve the competition in division one. Currently it is more likely that all the teams qualifying will be going down season in season out.
Who joins the three?
One more slot remaining and the three teams who will be battling it out to stay up are Mufulira Wanderers, occupying 17th going into the last match on 39 points, Nakambala and Green Eagles 41 respectively.
A draw for both Eagles and Nakambala and a win for Mufulira Wanderers would mean mathematically they may be caught on 42 points, but a far superior goal difference to Wanderers means they are effectively safe.
Mufulira Wanderers know they simply have to win their game against Zesco United at the Levy Mwanawasa and wait for other results; anything less and they are doomed. Even if they did win, a single point for the two against ZANACO and Green Buffaloes, big ask though it means Mufulira Wanderers would still go down.
Consequences
Titles and continental competition can mean riches and silverware, but relegation can cost a club its soul, its best players and an awful lot of staff jobs besides. That’s what a big team like Mufulira Wanderers are fighting against and am traveling to watch this one and see emotions surrounding this fixture.
Other Teams in the spectrum
While some teams would be merely “seeing out the season,” “playing for pride” or putting other such clichéd nonsense to good use, there are certainly plenty of final league positions—and therefore prize money—up for grabs.
Power Dynamos, Lusaka Dynamos and Napsa Stars in sixth, seventh and eighth respectively are separated by just two point, while just seven points, or in other words one final-day victory, separates 8th from 11th.
Other Key games
Lusaka Dynamos Vs Napsa Stars, Kabwe Warriors Vs Power Dynamos and Lumwana Radiants vs Buildcon all have nothing tangible but positions riding on their outcomes.
From here on in, all references to points and positions are in the “as it stands” league table; snapshots of how goals immediately affect the placings and futures of clubs throughout the Super League as we head to the last day
GAME SCHEDULE
All games kick off at 15:00hrs, Unless that one game at Woodlands that will start at 13:00hrs were we have a double header.
Nerves jangling all over the country, so much at stake and just shy of hours to decide an entire season’s worth of football—all the Zambia top flight matches kick off more or less simultaneously, and fans of all clubs anxiously tune into their team’s game while keeping more than half an eye on the scores of other matches which directly affect them.
Bwezani takes you in the quick prediction table for the last day:
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City of Lusaka Vs Red Arrows
Woodlands Stadium
13:00hrs
The only game to be played at 13:00hrs and will save as a curtain raiser for the big one. Red ARROWS have had a good season but City are going down die to a lot of factors. They are also going down on this one.
Prediction: City of Lusaka 0-1 Red ARROWS
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Lusaka Dynamos Vs NAPSA Stars
Heroes Stadium
Pretty being a poor season for Lusaka Dynamos but they won’t go down with more disappointments playing Napsa Stars who could as well leapfrog them. I think LD will win this one.
Prediction: Lusaka Dynamos 2-1 Napsa Stars
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Nchanga Rangers Vs Nakambala Leopards
Nchanga Stadium
Rangers are safe but they would want to give a present to their fans. Nakambala need a point and I think they will get it. But take note they are only better off Mufulira Wanderers with two goals so allowing a lot of goals in this encounter with Mufulira Wanderers beating Zesco it will be relegation Nakambala. I don’t think they will lose this one though.
Prediction: Nchanga Rangers 1-1 Nakambala Leopards
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Kabwe Warriors Vs Power Dynamos
Ucar Godfrey Chitalu Stadium
This is a dead rubber game with both teams fighting for nothing apart from improving their positions. A draw is eminent.
Prediction: Kabwe Warriors 0-0 Power Dynamos
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Nkana Vs Konkola Blades
Nkana Stadium
There is only one winner expected in this one. Nkana will set eyes on the games in Lusaka to have any chance of going second for Champions League position.
Prediction: Nkana 3-0 Konkola Blades
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Real Nakonde Vs Nkwazi
New Stadium
Another dead rubber and Nakonde will be saying bye to the super league. A win would be good for the home fans who have supported the team this season.
Prediction: Real Nakonde 1-1 Nkwazi
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Zesco United Vs Mufulira Wanderers
Levy Mwanawasa Stadium
This games will start slowly, taking their time to set fully alight shouldering embers which have burned brightly all season long, but other matches will be like fireworks set off inside a metal dustbin. Especially the two in Lusaka involving Zanaco and Green Buffaloes.
There will be so much emotion in this encounter but Zesco are favorite, Mufulira Wanderers have not won here since their return to the super league and I don’t think they will start today.
Prediction: Zesco United 2-1 Mufulira Wanderers
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Lumwana Radiants Vs Buildcon
Lumwana Grounds
Lumwana have had a good season it’s just right that they finish with a win.
Prediction: Lumwana 1-0 Buildcon
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Green Buffaloes Vs Green Eagles
Woodlands Stadium
Well done Green Buffaloes but this one is not easy. especially with the thoughts of being champions. Rumors of the President watching is a big boost. A win for title chasing Buffaloes.
Prediction: Green Buffaloes 1-0 Green Eagles
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Zanaco Vs Forest Rangers
Sunset Stadium
No time to waste for Numba Mumamba with the boys, they know what this win means while waiting for results in Ndola.
Prediction: ZANACO 2-0 Forest Rangers
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Gratitude
Thanks to you all for the support, it. has been a long season. But we have done it together and we can only hope for the beat season next year.
Bwezani will always be here for the updates…
Enjoy the games
