MTN Super League relegation battle heats up
By Tony Nkhoma
SIX teams will be battling relegation from the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) MTN Super League with two games remaining before the end of the 2024/25 season.
The six teams are Forest Rangers, Atletico Lusaka, Zanaco, Mutondo Stars, Green Eagles and Lumwana Radiants.
With Indeni Football Club already relegated from the FAZ MTN Super league, three of these six teams will drop to the National League along with them next season.
Positive results will count in the battle for survival in the FAZ/MTN Super League for these sides or they will join the walk into to the Eden University League One.
After 32 games, Forest Rangers who are known as Fole Malembe have 35 points and 16th on the log table will play their remaining two matches at home against Red Arrows and conclude their fixtures with already relegated Indeni.
It will be an uphill battle for Rangers as they have to survive relegation but should beat stubborn Indeni and Red Arrows.
Atletico Lusaka are 15th on the log with 36 points with a massive goal difference of 20 goals. The Lusaka-based outfit will face relegated Indeni and play title contenders Zesco United in their final fixture of the season.
Not so sensational Zanaco are 14th on the table with 36 points with an eight goal difference. The “Bankers” do not seem to be the Zambia B as they were fondly called at some point in Zambia’s football history.
The ‘Bankers’ will play their remaining fixtures at home against Mufulira Wanderers and CAF Second slot contenders Red Arrows to determine their fate in the MTN Super League.
Mutondo Stars started their Super League campaign on a bright note but slowly lost grip. They are 13th in the log with 37 points and a goal difference of 9.
Mutondo have no choice but to beat Zesco United and conclude their campaign against NAPSA Stars to stay afloat in the FAZ/MTN Super League.
Green Eagles who are 12th on the table with 38 points have better survival chances as they will face fellow relegation threatened FC MUZA of Mazabuka. But the Zambian National Service (ZNS) sponsored side may not fly past title contenders Power Dynamos away at Arthur Davies stadium in Kitwe.
Depending on the outcome of the other games, Green Eagles known by their fans as Tonka Twende are likely to avoid relegation.
Lumwana Radiants are 17th on the table with 34 points and their survival chances were cut short after a 1-0 defeat to Zesco United on Monday.
Lumwana’s survival chances are seemingly low as they will need to overcome 11th placed NAPSA Stars at home and away to 6th placed Nkwazi FC in Lusaka.
As Nkana spoilt Power Dynamos’ title party on Sunday, second placed Zesco United inched closer in the title chase, reducing gap with Power Dynamos from six to four points.
Zesco beat Lumwana Radiant on Monday by a lone goal to move to 60 points while Power Dynamos moved to 64 points following a draw against Nkana.
Power Dynamos needed the maximum three points against Nkana to be crowned champions but in this case, the Kitwe giants need three points against Nchanga Rangers or Green Eagles to be confirmed champions.
If Zesco United win all the remaining games , they will move to 66 points and could win the title if Power Dynamos failed to collect three points in their remaining two fixtures.
But all in all, Power Dynamos known as Aba Yellow are still favourite to lift their eighth Super League title.
