By Kalumiana Kalumiana
ZANACO this afternoon has a great opportunity to open a five-point lead at the summit of the 2025/2026 FAZ Super League table when they host Green Buffaloes in a Lusaka derby at Sunset Stadium.
Unbeaten ZANACO is enjoying its best start in years after enduring three straight seasons fighting relegation by the 7-time Zambian champions’ lofty standards.
ZANACO has 14 points from six games played and marginally leads former early season pacesetters Nchanga who are second on 12 points.
But Nchanga, who are the only team able to usurp ZANACO from number one in Week 7, only play on Sunday when they host Napsa Stars in Chingola.
ZANACO’s guests Green Buffaloes are 4th and are one of three teams on 10 points in the top five of the log together with third placed Red Arrows and FC MUZA who are fifth.
It will be another big test for ZANACO that comes a week after ending Kabwe Warriors’ unbeaten start to the campaign with a 3-2 home win.
ZANACO coach Mumamba Numba said in his preview interview yesterday that he is expecting another tough test today against Buffaloes.
“We have told our team that they should not be reluctant because we are playing a big team in Green Buffaloes. They are also playing well and that is why they are sitting in a better position on the log,” Numba said.
“So as we play Buffaloes, we have to make sure that we are on top of things for us to make sure that we get a positive result.”
Focus on ZANACO will be on striker Eliya Mandanji who scored a brace against Warriors to take his tally to 3 goals after 6 rounds of matches played.
Equal to that feat on the Buffaloes’ side is striker Bonwell Mwape who has 3 goals this season.
But the pressure is also on Buffaloes who have not won a league game since two fixtures ago on September 13, when they beat topflight debutants Mines United 2-0 at home in Lusaka.
Thereafter, Buffaloes lost 1-0 away to Kabwe Warriors and were held 0-0 by Napsa Stars on Saturday.
It’s a Friday ZANACO will be hoping to toast the start to an early weekend heading into the FIFA international match window that starts next week.
For Buffaloes, it is litmus test of their form in the first half of the season where the premium is a top six ABSA Cup qualification slot by the midway point in another 12 games to come.
FAZ Super League
Week 7 Fixtures
03/10/2025
Zanaco – Green Buffaloes
04/10/2025
Nkwazi – Green Eagles
Kabwe Warriors – Konkola Blades
FC MUZA – Power Dynamos
Nkana – Mutondo Stars
05/10/2025
FC Leopards -.Mufulira Wanderers
Kansanshi Dynamos – Red Arrows
ZESCO United – Mines United
Nchanga Rangers – Napsa Stars
