Log leaders NAPSA Stars Football Club will be hoping to continue with their winning form this afternoon when they host relegation threated Zesco Malaiti Rangers FC in a week-20 fixture of the Eden National Division One League.
The Pensioners have won two of their second round matches so far and will be looking at recording another victory in a match to be played at Woodlands Stadium this afternoon.
With only two points behind second placed Lumwana Radiants FC, Coach Perry Mutapa has drilled his strong 18-man squad ready to take on Malaiti today to see NAPSA Stars extend their lead on the log.
The team has been boosted by the return of Captain Luka Banda who missed out on the previous match owing to one game suspension after picking a red card in a week 18 match.
Midfielder Musonda Kapembwa said in a pre-match interview that today’s game will not be an easy one, but the team is ready to take on the challenge.
Musonda also stressed how boosted the team was with the return of their captain Luka Banda, who is also a top scorer for the Club with six goals so far.
“It will not be an easy game but we are ready for them. We want to ensure that we replicate the result in the first round when we beat them at their home ground,” Musonda adds.
Napsa Stars FC beat Malaiti by three goals to nil in the first leg with goals coming from Musonda Kapembwa, Eric Yema and Austin Banda.
FORM GUIDE
Napsa stars FC is topping the log with 38 points from their 11 victories, five draws and three loses from the 19 games so far.
Malaiti on the other hands are bottom on the log after playing 19 games, winning four, drawing four and losing 11.
KEY PLAYERS
Captain Luka Banda returns from suspension and is likely to pair up with David Odhiambo in the central defense.
Striker Jimmy Mukeya has been on top of his form in the last two matches and is likely to make it in Coach Perry’s team today.
Veteran midfielder Sydney Kalume had a great start in the last game after being signed for the remainder of the season, and is likely to start again in todays match after his solid performance in the last match.
Mukwanya still favorite to start in goal after keeping a clean sheet in the last two matches.