Zambia: Arrows Look to Extend Lead

23 July 2011

THE Zambia Rugby Football Union (ZRFU) National Rugby League (NRL) today enters week-15 with runaway leaders, Red Arrows expected to maintain their unbeaten run when they host struggling and rock bottom-placed Konkola.

Green Eagles will be hoping for a victory away to Chibuluma to preserve their second position, knowing fully that nothing more than a win will see former champions ‘Men At Work’ Diggers, in third position with 33 points, three below the Kabwe side who are hoping to reclaim second slot with a win over Prisons.

‘Powerhouse’ Lusaka are out of action as their match against ‘Killer Bee’s’ Ndola Wanderers has been postponed because the latter has most of the players away on national assignment.

The players are with the national under-19 rugby squad currently in Zimbabwe for the Confederation of African Rugby (CAR) qualifiers for the 2012 International Rugby Board (IRB) Junior World Rugby Trophy (JWRT).

Elsewhere, sixth-placed Green Buffaloes will be aiming to bounce back from last weekend’s 32-9 thrashing to Arrows when they take on an incoherent Roan, while Mufulira guest Nchanga in what is expected to be a tough encounter.

Arrows vs Konkola

Arrows appear favourites on paper to collect maximum points with a bonus point to remain on track to defend the title when the only unbeaten side in the league with 45 points, take on Konkola with just two points.

All teams that have faced Arrows in the league so far have crumbled at the hands of the airmen and it remains to be seen whether Konkola can come up with a different formula and claim their first victory of the campaign.

Chibuluma vs Eagles

The corresponding fixture saw Eagles carrying the day with a 20-11 victory, but the Kabwe side will have to be at their best to overcome a Chibuluma side that is no pushover especially when at home ground.

Chibuluma at 26 points have been playing some good rugby this season but have failed to collect points off big guns and today’s game accords them an opportunity to beat a top side and redeem themselves.

Prisons vs Diggers

Diggers are back in action after a one week recess and will be aiming at winning big at Prisons and reclaim second position should Eagles fail to beat Chibuluma in Kalulushi.

Lying second from bottom, Prisons should by wary of the threat Diggers poses especially after losing the reverse fixture 73-0 in Kitwe and today’s match might just end like that or even worse as the undisputed rugby kings aim at challenging Arrows for the league title.

Buffaloes vs Roan

Last week’s defeat left Buffaloes on 26 points, 19 points off the pace and the ground forces need to start winning matches to have a real chance of finishing tops or on a respectable position in the league.

The Lusaka Challenge champions should, however, be cautious of a Roan side that is likely to upset tables on their lucky day.

But the consolation for Buffaloes is that Roan, currently lying eighth on the log with 16 points, have not been at their best this season.

AllAfrica – All the Time