28 May 2011
AFTER weeks of battling for superiority in the Zambia Rugby Football Union (ZRFU) national league, clubs shift their focus today as the Ndola 7s rugby tournament takes centre stage with league leaders Red Arrows set to continue their dominance.
But Arrows should bear in mind that the 15 aside is far different game from the Sevens and any team that puts up a good side could emerge victorious, with ‘Men At Work’ Diggers and ‘Powerhouse’ Lusaka both in contention for silverware.
According to the draws, hosts Ndola have been grouped with Arrows in Group A with Prisons and Kitwe Playing Fields (KPF) while Group B has Lusaka, Green Eagles, struggling Konkola and Kansanshi from Solewzi.
Diggers are in Group C with Roan, Nchanga and Ndola B while the last group has Green Buffaloes, Mufulira, the Copperblet University (CBU) and Nkwazi. Arrows and Ndola should sail to the next round with the airmen likely to win the group and to play runners up from Group D who are likely to be Mufulira as Buffaloes should wrap up maximum points to win the group and play Ndola.
On paper, Lusaka should have no problems topping Group B with Eagles the likely candidate to join them in the next round as Kansanshi and Konkola do not seem like side to the give the two clubs much difficulty. From Group C, Diggers look to have a clear path to the next stage but the battle for second slot will be tough as Roan, Nchanga and a Ndola B side have a chance to finish second and set up a next round clash against Lusaka with Diggers playing Eagles.
The tournament is expected to kick off at 90:00hours with the first match between Arrows and Prisons then followed by Buffaloes versus CBU, Lusaka v Konkola, Diggers v Nchanga before the hosts take on to the field against KPF. The winning club will walk away K5 million richer.
AllAfrica – All the Time
Read More:
Ndola Sevens Rugby Takes Centre Stage