MTN Super League season gets under way in Zambia

The new MTN Super League season in Zambia gets under way on Saturday, though champions ZESCO United will not be in action on the opening weekend as they take part in African club competition.

There will be five matches on Saturday and another one on Sunday as the season gets into full swing after what was a fascinating campaign at both ends of the table in 2020-21.

Deposed champions Nkana FC are in action when they host Nkwazi on Sunday, having survived a relegation scare in the last campaign.

The team were clearly affected by having to compete on a number of fronts with the CAF Champions League and then Confederation Cup, but will not have those distractions this time round.

Nkana have made a number of new acquisitions, including goalkeeper Bradley Mweene, the son of national team stalwart Kennedy, Chipolopolo defender Kondwani Chibonim, and forwards Mathews Lungu and Shadreck Musonda.

They have also reinforced their technical team with the addition of former junior national team coach George Chilufya as assistant to head coach Beston Chambeshi, who has also been doubling up as caretaker coach of the senior Zambia national team.

The matches get under way on Saturday as newly-promoted Konkola Blades host Power Dynamos in their return to the Zambian top-flight for the first time since 2017.

The Chililabombwe-based side do not have a great record against Dynamos, with just five wins in their last 22 meetings.

Two more promoted teams meet when Kafue Celtic take on Chambishi in Lusaka. Celtic are more renowned as an academy that has produced the likes of current national team stars Patson Daka and Enock Mwepu but will now compete in the top-flight for the first time.

Chambishi, meanwhile, were last in the Super League in 2009 and have had to wait long for their return.

In other games on Saturday, Prison Leopards entertain Forest Rangers, Green Eagles host Buildcon and Lusaka Dynamos travel to Green Buffaloes.