The top four teams in the Zambian football today meet in one arena [Arthur Davies stadium] for the ‘Samuel ‘Zoom’ Ndlovu Charity Shield semi-finals.
The Charity Shield traditionally signals the commencement of the MTN/FAZ Super League but it’s the competitiveness of this year’s semi-finals that make these semi-finals more than Charity matches as top four teams in the league battle for pride.
Defending champions Power Dynamos take on Zesco United in the lunch time kick-off at 13:00 hours a much that promises sparks owing to the rivalry of the two teams in the recent past.
“As you are aware we have three trophies in the league and if you win the charity shield it is a bonus. You can have something on the shelves. It will be competitive because all the teams in the semi-finals are big teams,” said Power coach Danny Kabwe.
The veteran coach said although Zesco has already played competitive football in the CAF Confederation cup, it did not give them advantage over his team because his team equally played competitive friendly games during the pre-season tour of Zimbabwe last month.
Zesco coach Zlatko Krmpotic proclaimed on his arrival in Zambia when he was just appointed back in January that he wants to win all trophies available in the Zambian league, this includes the Charity Shield.
The second semi-final is an equally grudge match between Nkana and league defending champions Zanaco.
Nkana were beaten twice in three meetings last season, with the most humiliating defeat for the 12 times champions coming in the Barclays cup were they were bashed 4-0.
“We are ready for Zanaco, yes they have already played competitive matches in the CAF Champions League but as Nkana we have also prepared and yes it will be a very tough match,” said Nkana coach Zeddy Saileti who will be starting his reign as head coach at Nkana stadium since he replaced Aggrey Chiyangi in December.
The games will afford all teams an opportunity to showcase their new pre-season signings.
The final of the Charity Shield will be played this Sunday, April 2.
The semi-finals were initially scheduled to be played on Saturday and the final next weekend April 8 but that date was coinciding with Zesco’s trip to Nigeria to face Enugu Rangers in the pre-group stage of the Confederation cup.
