By ELIAS CHIPEPO –
CHAMPIONS Red Arrows face a tough test against ‘Powerhouse’ Lusaka in a bid to edger closer to retaining their National Rugby League (NRL) title when the two giants clash in a Week 11 fixture.
In other fixtures, Nkwazi will be praying for an Arrows defeat so that they can close the gap with a win over bottom placed Buffaloes as third placed ‘Men At Work’ Diggers trek to Kabwe to face Green Eagles while the other match of the day pits Kitwe Playing Fields (KPF) against Chibuluma.
Arrows lead the log on 35 points followed by Nkwazi on 27, Diggers have 24 while Lusaka have 18, KPF 16 with Chibuluma, Eagles and Buffaloes tied on 15 points with three fixtures remaining.
Arrows v Lusaka
This fixture tops the matches today as Lusaka will be out to derail Arrows surge towards winning the title and this match promises to be a spark like was the case in a Week Four clash.
That match saw Arrows snatch a narrow 17-18 win away at Lusaka though a lot has happened since that match with the airman enjoying top slot with a eight-point lead while their visitors are somewhat still struggling to get hold of their campaign.
Arrows head into this tie fresh from battering Buffaloes 55-15 and look favourites to claim a win over Lusaka and coach Maybin Mwamba will look to the likes of Terry Kaushiku, ), Edward Mumba, Oscar Bwalya, Goodhope Mwewa, Vincent Nkole, Malambo Mutinta and Simon Kampindu to deliver the result.
Lusaka overcame Eagles 24-13 and that win will give them confidence heading into the match with expectations high on players like Given Phiri, Mcgiven Muchindu, Sanika Mwale, Kelly Summerton and Shelly Kasuba to get needed result and move up the ladder.
Meanwhile, in the B Division, Ndola will be aiming to recover from last week 30-0 bashing against Nchanga when they host an equally struggling Roan as Mufulira play Nchanga while Kansanshi and Konkola are both on bye.