By Chinyemba Becks Kalama
The Zambian Super League reaches its climax this Saturday, the 29th of April, 2023 as perennial archrivals, Power and Nkana clash in the mouthwatering Kitwe derby. The week 31 MTN-FAZ Super League top-of-the-bill encounter is slated for the theater of beautiful football, Arthur Walter Davies Stadium.
The timing of this fixture makes it all the more exciting. Power are looking to clinch their seventh league title with victory over their fiercest crosstown rivals, Nkana depending on results in the other matches involving the chasing pack. On the other hand, the thought of witnessing their rivals being crowned champions at the close of the match has given Nkana their biggest motivation ever to spoil the party at Arthur Davies Stadium. The stakes could never have been higher than this!
With tickets having gone on sale at Shoprite outlets via Computicket, soccer fans from across the country and beyond will descend on Arthur Davies in their droves to witness a spectacle of a football match. The Kitwe derby has one of the highest viewership on the premier pay TV sports channel, SuperSport and it will be beamed live across the African continent.
For the first time in 12 years, Power Dynamos stands in the cusp of a Zambian league championship. The long wait for glory is eminently coming to an end. After well over a decade of pain, near misses, attractive football with little to no trophies to show for it, everyone in the Yellow camp is beginning to believe this could be it. The ‘Aba Yellow’ faithful have believed so since Power assumed leadership of the league well over 20 weeks ago.
The belief is so entrenched that BJ Björne Denzel-Mula Lumbwe a long-time follower of Power Dynamos since the late 1980’s well into the Power ’90 days has had a giant banner printed depicting Power’s 7 league titles including the one which is yet to be won, the 2023 title! Remi Tasc Moen, the Norwegian Power fan is travelling all the way from Norway to Zambia to witness the epic Kitwe derby. The emotion pulsing through Power’s fans and players is incredible, understandably so. But first, Power have to overcome their biggest test yet, their fierce rivals in 13-time Zambian league kings, Nkana ‘Kalampa’ FC.
Nkana is a team that has been on the rise having emerged out of the relegation zone in the early stages of the season to a team that is fighting for continental spots. The 1-nil defeat suffered at the hands of Green Eagles ‘Tonka Twende’ in last Sunday’s week 30 fixture at Nkana Stadium does not by any means blight Nkana’s credentials in the Kitwe derby. Nkana are playing some decent football and their squad is equal to the task that lie ahead in the derby.
Former Zambia U-20, 2017 AFCON winner and World Cup quarterfinalist, Mangani Banda is Nkana’s safe pair of hands in between the sticks. Overlapping fullback and perhaps one of the best right backs in the league, former Power Dynamos and Zambia international, Kondwani ‘the Machine’ Chiboni will be a big threat to Power’s title aspirations. Bob Chansa could be deployed on the left back flank. Nkana’s central defense is water-tight comprising of Stephen Chulu and Burundese international centre back, Derrick Mukombozi. Former U-20 international, Moses Nyondo is the other option in defense.
The looming midfield battle has so much promise for soccer fans who will witness this encounter. Captain fantastic, who happens to be another former Zambia U-20 international, Harrison ‘Lewa’ Chisala will lead his troops with some enterprising play in the middle of the pack. ‘Lewa’ will most probably be partnered with 2022 COSAFA champion with Chipolopolo, the brilliant, Patrick ‘Parker’ Gondwe and seasoned campaigner in the derby, former Mighty Mufulira Wanderers, Jacob Ngulube. The youngster, Oliver Lumbiya is slowly turning out to be a tough nut to crack in ‘Nkana’s defensive midfield role. Former Zimbabwean international Thabani Kamusoko, Obed Masumboko, Erick Yema and Mousa Lemisa are the other options in midfield available for coach and Nkana legend, Beston ‘Quicksilver’ Chambeshi.
If there are two players who could spoil the party for Power, it is Congolese hotshot striker, David ‘Rambo’ Kabala and Lameck ‘the General’ Kafwaya. The former has an impressive return of 6 goals in just about 10 games for Nkana. Kabala’s conversion ability has potential to harm any team in the Zambian league while Lameck Kafwaya is a proven goal scorer having won several golden boots at Ndola Lime Hotspurs before turning out for Kabwe Warriors and previously at Power Dynamos. Kafwaya could just hurt his former employers. ‘The General’ has loads of experience playing as a midfielder too.
Power head into the derby without the services of skipper Godfrey ‘Gofa’ Ngwenya, Brian Mwila, Willard Mwanza and 2019 Zambian Player of the Year Austin Muwowo, all sidelined by injuries. The pass-masters, Power Dynamos, have everything going their way in their quest for the elusive seventh league title. Power are unplayable when they get into their passing game. The 1991 CAF Cup Winners’ Cup champions are unbeaten in their last 19 league games.
International goalkeeper Lawrence Mulenga probably has the highest number of clean sheets in the current campaign. Mulenga possesses an agility and prescient positional sense coupled with good ball distribution and an educated left foot.
Power have the meanest defense in the league conceding a meagre 14 goals in 31 matches. Recalled international, Aaron Katebe has excelled at the heart of the Power defense with an elegant tactical awareness and constant interception of the opponent’s passes earning himself the nickname ‘Commander’ from the Power diehard fans. Katebe is not afraid to lay in a tough challenge with his uncompromising sliding tackles. Congolese defense stalwart, Faustin Bakodila has been equally impressive as Katebe’s central defense partner. Veteran, White Mwanambaba, has not disappointed when called to duty. Vice-captain, Luka Chamanga and Young Power graduate, Jackson ‘Animal’ Mulambia will both vie for the left back role.
Whereas Power’s defense has been impeccable, a new dimension which has been added to their game by the emerging master tactician, Mwenya ‘Gitano Chiefs’ Chipepo and club legend, Linos ‘Socrates’ Makwaza Snr, it’s their midfield which has everything you need to see in a team with league title aspirations. Power’s team sheet has an enviable array of gifted midfielders. The homegrown trio of Linos Makwaza Jnr, Joshua Mutale and Fredrick Mulambia have formed the core of the midfield – all graduates of Power’s developmental team, Young Power. Reigning Zambia Young Player of the Year, Joshua ‘Budo’ Mutale has shown a lot of ambition to win with four goals to his name. Mutale’s aesthetic abilities with the ball at his feet has been a sheer delight to watch. Fredrick ‘Ngolo Kante’ Mulambia, perhaps one of the most intelligent midfielders in the league, has the highest number of assists for Power this season. Mulambia is highly tipped to assume the mantle of best Power Dynamos playmaker left vacant by the mercurial and midfield impresario, 2011 league title winning skipper, Joseph ‘Adepoju’ Sitali. The combative, Linos Makwaza Jnr and Owen Tembo playing in the double pivot midfield role have thrived in the engine room in Power’s preferred 4-4-2 formation this season.
Add to this, Power has the X-factor in midfield genius, Moses Muzumara. The Zambian soccer fans will be left clamoring for more the day that they will be treated to Muzumara’s masterpiece and incredible skill. Combining passing vision with exquisite ball handling abilities, Muzumara is the ultimate model playmaker. 2012 Zambian Player of the Year, Mukuka ‘Deco’ Mulenga like fine Spanish wine that gets better with age is a master of his craft.
Leading Super league goal scorer, the Congolese Andy Bobwa Boyeli has been prolific in front of goal with 16 goals in the campaign. Boyeli has been scoring goals for fun ever since his big money move from Chambishi FC to Arthur Davies Stadium in mid-season. Boyeli is set to give the Nkana backline a torrid time. Former Chambishi striker, Jacob Kaunda and Zimbambwean Thomas Chideu complete Power’s striking force.
In 1984, Power beat Nkana enroute to their maiden league title triumph. This was not be 30 years later in 2014, when Power needing two consecutive victories in the last two games of the season to win the title lost 2-1 to Nkana at Arthur Davies Stadium with Ronald ‘Sate Sate’ Kampamba burrying the second goal for Nkana.
A win for Power in the Kitwe derby would earn them 59 points which could be unassailable with 3 games to spare should second placed Green Buffaloes who are on 48 points fail to collect maximum points in their away match at Kansanshi Dynamos. What a great football story that would be! Winning the league title after beating your sworn rivals…beautiful football scripts don’t come any better than that.
Football is never short of turns and twists and who can tell the outcome, and what sort of sumptuous dish will be served at the close of the 90 minutes game of pulsating football? These were the magnitude of games that would have Zambian football’s revered hero, the legendary Dennis Liwewe belt out one of his trademark remarks in his infectious voice from the commentary box “Let’s wait and see!”
Kitwe Derby Past Results: 2004 – 2023
2022/23 Nkana 0 – 1 Power
2022 Power 1-0 Nkana
2021 Nkana 2-0 Power
2021 Power 0-2 Nkana
2021 Nkana 0-3 Power
2020 Cancelled
2019 Power 3-0 Nkana
2019 Nkana 0-2 Power
2019 Power 0-2 Nkana
2018 Nkana 1-2 Power
2018 Power 2-2 Nkana
2017 Nkana 1-2 Power
2017 Power 0-1 Nkana
2016 Power 1-0 Nkana
2016 Nkana 1-1 Power
2015 Power 2-1 Nkana
2015 Nkana 1-0 Power
2014 Power 1-2 Nkana
2014 Nkana 1-1 Power
2013 Power 1-1 Nkana
2013 Nkana 2-0 Power
2012 Power 2-0 Nkana
2012 Nkana 1-5 Power
2011 Power 0 -1 Nkana
2011 Nkana 0-0 Power
2010 Power 1-1 Nkana
2010 Nkana 1-2 Power
2008 Power 3-0 Nkana
2008 Nkana 0-1 Power
Head to Head:
Games Played: 28
Wins:
Power 14 – 8 Nkana
Losses:
Power 8 – 14 Nkana
Draws:
Power 6 – 6 Nkana
