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Young Arrows have arguably played the best offensive football in the first half of the season but Coach Alfred Mulao’s squad lack depth and they have struggled without the influential trio of Whiteson Simwanza, Judge M’kandawire and Lyianga Chiwanki; the most impressive and consistency player in the local league this season so far.

Young Arrows duo of Lyianga Chiwanki & Whiteson Simwanza fight for the ball during training session.

For this weekend’s match, the trinity members of the Cosafa squad are available and expected to help his side consolidate their grip on top of log against Konkola Blades who will be banking on the return of prodigy son Felix Sunzu Jr.

With second placed Green Buffaloes having mouthwatering clash against Power Dynamos, the junior airmen are expected to take advantage of that and go for an outright win.

Zesco United v Kabwe Warriors, Trade fair grounds.

Emmanuel Mayuka is expected to bid farewell to the local league as he leads his boyhood club, Kabwe Warriors against defending Champions, Zesco United who trying to come terms with the loss of Rainford Kalaba.

William Chinyama v Clive Hachilensa duet is set to continue even at club level. Both play for Zesco United.

Many pundits thought Zescolo will be run away leaders but alas last season invincibles have struggled even with Kalaba in their starting line up.

Last season’s 13 goal hero, Enoch Sakala has been the biggest flop of the season, Sakala has only scored one goal in all competitions.

Elsewhere on the Copperbelt, Nkana red devils will be hosting Roan United. Both teams should start picking up points the earlier the better as they can not afford any more slip ups.

 

The KCM/FAZ Premier league resumes this week with two intriguing fixtures in Lusaka as Zanaco host City of Lusaka in a local derby while Green Buffaloes will face in form Power Dynamos who are unbeatean in their last six matches.

Zanaco v City of Lusaka, Sunset Stadium.

Sunset Satdium might be filled to capacity once more, thanks to the hard core City Ya Moto; City Yo Beba fans as they will be edging their team to revenge the 1-0 loss they suffered at home courtesy of a Kennedy Nkhetani header.

Green Buffaloes’ John Musukwa keeping an eye on Young Arrows exploisive winger Judge M’kandawire.

Zanaco will be without two of their most prized assets, club top scorer Rodger Kola now in Russia tying knots to his six month loan move with Spartak Nalchik and Stophira Sunzu who is attending trials in France.

Chisamba Lungu and Ignitius Lwipa are expected to step up and lead the bankers against the Fighton Simukonda coached side in the absence of the duo.

Simukonda has lost defender Ackim Phiri  to Konkola Blades but it looks like the former Zanaco coach is modeling a young side around new kids on the block and under-20 star Evans Musonda and former Spain based Lee Ngoma.

Green Buffaloes v Power Dynamos, Woodlands Stadium

This is the pick of week with both sides featuring six national team call ups, Francis Kombe and Francis Kasonde from Dinamo while Green Buffaloes’ will be lining up John Musokwa, Dennis Banda, Sydney Lombe, Mike Poto as well 2006 Zambian player of the Year, Sebastian Mwansa.

But the hero of the day could be wing wizard; Kennedy Mudenda at a stadium he has already banged in three goals at international level this year. Sometimes one tends to wonder why the Chipolopolo Boys technical bench has ignored him off late.

In the reverse fixture, both sides drew 1-1.

In other fixtures in the capital City, Hichani Himonde will lead Lusaka Dynamos away to Nkwazi at Edwin Imboela Stadium. The Police outfit will be looking to complete a double over Dynamos in a Lusaka mini derby.

‘The elite’ have the best defensive record in league which has conceded only six goals.

They will be missing Perry Mutapa and Masautso Tembo who both trekked to Angola.

At Nkoloma Stadium, Red Arrows will welcome Kenneth Malitoli’s Nchanga Rangers with all eyes on Elijah Tana after being recalled to the national team.

The Airmen will be without goalkeeper Danny Munyao who is still out injured while former under-20 star Joseph Zimba is Cyprus pursuing a professional career.

 

In Kabwe, new Chipolopolo Boys’ call up, Kebby ‘Hachi’  Hachipuka  (pictured above in jerset 10) will lead Green Eagles against bottom of the table Chambishi.

The Zambia national service side has been the surprise package of the season. The Ackim Musenge coached side have only been late down by their porous defence.

 

 

 

 

 

When the ball is in the last third, there’s only one place, Emmanuel Mayuka will be and that’s the box…

 

With 90 % of the move done, Emmanuel Mayuka is on the verge of signing for Portuguese giants FC Porto. The 18 year old whiz kid spoke to Portuguese based website,www.futebolartte.blogspot.com  in a telephone interview yesterday about the potential of teaming up with one of Portugal and Porto stars, Ricardo Quaresma and his delight about the possibility playing Champions League football.

 

 

 

“I know some of the players at Porto. I like Adriano because of the goals he scores, (Jose) Bosingwa (now at Chelsea) and definitely Ricardo Quaresma…he is fantastic and I can’t wait to play alongside him,” the delighted young prodigy told maisfutebol.

 

But the Kabwe Warriors’ striker might not get his wish as Quaresma is one of the hottest transfer targets by European giants.

 

 

And why do Zambians always have to wait for other people to give nicknames to their players? Ka Nickname for the boy please!

 

Still a raw talent, Mayuka is a rough diamond. He is goal scorer and a goal maker who is quick and strong and one of Zambia’s symbol of future and present alongside Justine Zulu,William Njobvu, Nathan Sinkala, Rodger Kola, Nyambe Mulenga, Lyianga Chiwanki, Stophira Sunzu, Fwayo Tembo, Hichani Himonde, Chisamba Lungu and Banda ‘Thierry’ Henry.

 

On his pending Mayuka said, “I have been told there’s a good possibility of me joining FC Porto and that’s what everything indicates but for now I’m training with the Zambia national team.”

 

“The Porto move will be very good for me as it is one of the best teams in the world. It will give me the chance to develop as a player, lining up in Europe (Champions league) and this will be important to continue to help my country,” the highly rated 18 year old added.

 

The 2007 FIFA World Youth Cup group stage star also revealed that he spoke with his international teammate Collins Mbesuma when both Porto and their arch-rivals Sporting Lisbon first showed interest in his services.

 

“I had the chance of speaking to Mbesuma who played for Maritimo. He spoke well of Portuguese soccer, how they play and he told me that I will adapt quickly.

 

 

Mayuka celebrating his goal against Botswana…as Sporting Braga’s Rainford Kalaba ran to congratulate the ‘New Malaza.’

 

“I like Portuguese soccer. It’s very attractive (offensive) and the people are very friendly,” said the wonder boy.

 

Football Association of Zambia indicated on Wednesday, “His departure has been delayed as details of his contract are still being worked out between the concerned parties (Kabwe Warriors and Porto).

 

It is believed Porto have offered the teenage sensational striker an initial six month loan move with an option of extending it into a permanent two or three year deal.

 

Mayuka rose to stardom at the World Youth Cup last year and his 15 goals propelled his boyhood club Kabwe Warriors to a fourth finish in the KCM/FAZ Premier League as well a Bp Top Eight Cup trophy courtesy of his hatrick.

 

The exciting starlet was voted the 2007 Zambian Young Zambian Footballer of the Year.

 

The school boy international scored on his international debut against Mozambique last. And was part of the Chipolopolo Boys 2008 African Nations Cup squad. Already this year, the energetic and red hot striker has represented Zambia at all internationals levels except for Under 17.

 

To his credit, Mayuka has banged in a total of 8 goals; 3 in the local league with the other five coming on international duty.

 

His highlight was when he connected a Kennedy Mudenda cross with an acrobatic bicycle kick at Woodlands Stadium against Botswana in CHAN qualifiers and left many Chipolopolo fans stunned.

 

What do you think of Emmanuel Mayuka being called the ‘New Malaza,’ after the late Zambia national team striker Kelvin ‘Malaza’ Mutale? Or do you have any nickname which suits Emmanuel Mayuka? Have your Say

 

Lets not wait for the Porto fans to nickname him for us, the same way South African fans did with Chris ‘Tsunami’ Katongo and Collins ‘Ntofo-ntofo’ Mbesuma…..Lets take pride and appreciate our own and…guess it will be a fitting way of honouring and remembering Kelvin ‘Malaza’ Mutale.