Newly-crowned Absa Cup winners Red Arrows’ long wait to officially be crowned champions in the 2023-24 MTN Super League season could be ended on Wednesday when there is a return to league action in Zambia.
It is the first league fixtures in two-and-a-half weeks as Arrows have sat with a 12-point lead at the topo of the table and four rounds to be played. It means just a point away at Kabwe Warriors will do it.
But they may be crowned champions even in defeat if they lose and either of second-placed Zesco United or FC Muza don’t win their games.
The fact that Arrows have a +28 goal-difference compared to Zesco (+13) and Muza (+9) is effectively worth another point at this stage of the season, so for all intents and purposes, they are over the line. But they will want to rubber-stamp it.
Warriors are in sixth with little to play for, but Arrows have struggled there in the recent past. They have won none of their three visits since 2019 (D1 L2). They have managed a single goal in that time.
Zesco host Muza, so should Arrows slip up, one, or both if it is a draw, of their contenders will be eliminated from the running.
Zesco’s challenge has been hit by four draws and a defeat in their last five games, having been in pole-position to win the league around mid-March. MUZA have also not been great of late, losing two of their last three. In the three previous clashes between these sides there has been a win each and a draw.
Champions Power Dynamos have long seen their challenge fade but they will hope to finish the season on a high to give them some momentum going into the new campaign.
They host mid-table Forest Rangers, who have drawn 14 of their 30 games to date, including their previous three. Rangers have won only one of their 15 matches on the road.
Bottom side trident have already been relegated, but travel to Konkola Blades, who sit one place and one point above the drop zone. That makes it a huge fixture for the home side.
It is do-or-die time for Kansanshi Dynamos, who are six points from safety with four rounds remaining and welcome Mutondo Stars, who are themselves only two points clear of relegation.
In other games on Wednesday, Nkwazi welcome struggling Mufulira Wanderers, Zanaco go to Green Eagles and Prison Leopards play host to Napsa Stars.
There is one game on Thursday too as in-form Nkana FC will hope to continue their rapid rise up the table as they go to Green Buffaloes.