By Kalumiana Kalumiana
FAZ Super League champions Power Dynamos return to action this afternoon after Sunday’s 2026 ABSA Cup final loss to play a league obligation, but for their guests Mutondo Stars it’s about the serious business of survival when they meet in a Kitwe derby at Arthur Davies Stadium.
Power are back in action 72 hours after they were beaten 2-0 in the ABSA Cup final by Red Arrows on Sunday at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
That match saw Power sustain their first domestic loss in 2026, ending a 20-game unbeaten run in league and ABSA Cup action.
And the irony is Powers’ unbeaten run started with the same team they are hosting this afternoon, whom they beat 2-0 on January 10 in a rescheduled week 15 fixture.
For Mutondo this game is all about survival, and they are fighting to continue staying in the FAZ Super League since they were promoted in 2023.
Mutondo are in the top section of the bottom four relegation zone at number 15 on 31 points with 3 games left to play.
By press time Napsa Stars were below Mutondo on 28 points and were in action on Tuesday against Zanaco, while just above them are Nkwazi, who have 31 points and are away to FC MUZA.
Mutondo coach Ronald Mukosha has described the match against Power Dynamos as a must-win.
“The team is ready. We have prepared well for Power Dynamos. The game will be tough but we are going into this game looking for a positive result. We need points in the remaining game. We can win all the remaining games. I have confidence we can do it. We are only demanding for hard work and that players come to the party. We ask fans to come in numbers and help fight for points,” Mukosha said.
However, the harsh reality is Mutondo have never won or drawn against Power since their promotion 3 years ago.
In short, Power has won all 5 league meetings, home and away, against Mutondo.
The game may look like a formality fixture for Power, who retrained their league title a week ago with 4 games to spare but now have some damage limitation to make after losing to Arrows in the ABSA Cup final.
Meanwhile, a victorious second-placed Arrows, who have 55 points, host the 5th-positioned Green Eagles at Nkoloma Stadium.
Eagles are just five points behind Arrows and still harbouring thoughts of finishing a symbolic second with three games left to play.
In the other days’ fixtures, Nkana visit Zesco United at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in a match where both sides are racing to reach the 40-point threshold to officially ensure their top-flight stay.
Nkana are two places above the bottom four relegation zone at number 13 with 35 points, while Zesco are at number 11 with 38 points.
In the fifth fixture on Wednesday, Green Buffaloes and Mufulira Wanderers meet in a mid-table fixture at Edwin Emboela Stadium in Lusaka.
