Another tough test for the Pensioners this afternoon as they visit Mazabuka outfit FC Muza for their week-23 match of the Eden National Division One League.
NAPSA Stars are in a desperate need of a win going into this match after recording poor results in their last three matches.
The Perry Mutapa Coached side has drawn two games and lost one going into this match while Muza has lost only one game and won their last two matches.
This is expected to be an interesting encounter for spectators especially looking at how well both teams are doing on the log. The Pensioners are second on the log with 40 points, a point better than third placed FC Muza with 39 points.
Aside from the log standings, both teams are being headed by two coaches who have worked together for a very long time in the past.
This means the two are well abreast with each other’s style of play making the fixture more interesting for both sides.
And in the first round of the Season, the two teams battled to a 1 all draw in a match that was played at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka.
Coach Perry in his pre-match interview said he is taking today’s game just like any other game.
“I have played against my own blood brother even in a decider game, it’s all about professionalism on the field of play. May the best team on this day win the game,” Coach Perry adds.
The coach has also taken note of how his side has not been scoring a lot of goals in the past matches and stresses that the technical bench is working to have this situation changed.
FORM GUIDE
Napsa Stars are second sitting on 40 points on the table, three points behind log leaders Lumwana Radiants who have 43 points from the 22 games played.
The Pensioners have won 11, drawn seven (7) and lost three (3) games so far.
TEAM NEWS AND KEY PLAYERS
Attacking midfielder Chaniza Zulu has joined the Pensioners for the remainder of the season from Super League side Power Dynamos FC.
Zulu who has also been in the books of Lumwana Radiants is likely to feature in Coach Perry’s starting 11 this afternoon.
Goal Keeper Rodwell Mukwanya is still being rested after spraining his ankle. Head Coach Perry Mutapa has options of either using Rabson Muchelenganga or Philip Banda in today’s match.
In the midfield, Austine Banda has been very instrumental to Coach Perry’s side and is likely to start in today’s game again.
Defensively, Luka Banda has been leading the backline comprising of David Odiambo, Gift Zulu and Joseph Lungu.
Today’s match starts at 15h00 and will be played at Nakambala Stadium.