Nkana striker Djunese Kanda came off the bench to score the only goal of the match to hand his team a 1 – 0 win in the fierce Kitwe derby that lived up to expectation.
The game had everything expected of a derby; fast play, tough tackling yellow cards, red card, penalty save goal…. But it was Nkana who walked away smiling as they recorded the first home of the season.
Power looked the better side in the first half with some quick build ups with midfielder Kennedy Mudenda looking dangerous on the left but they did not do enough to trouble goalkeeper Rabson Muchelenganga expect for a Kelvin Mubanga in swinger from the right which was dipping into the goal only to be saved by the goalie.
Beston Chambeshi decided to be more ambitious in the second half when he brought in Congolese striker Kanda to partner hardworking man of the match Ronald Chibuye who was a pain in the Power defence.
Chibuye won the controversial penalty which led to the goal when he chased a hopeless ball which Power defender Derrick Mwansa allowed to bounce and was brought down in the box as he shouldered the defender off the ball from behind.
Kanda was the first to pick the ball and he drove his shot from the spot straight into the trailing leg of Joshua Titima but he reacted first to score from the rebound.
This was a minute after Nkana captain Donashano Malama was given matching orders after he crudely kicked his marker in the center of the pitch.
The win moves Nkana into 8th position on 9 points just behind Green Eagles.
Power remain 5th on the log with 10 points ahead of Konkola Blades and Eagles on goal difference.
Off topic, once again watching the ZPL is an eyesore. Just seeing the state of the pitches puts one off watching. Thanks to SS9 we are able to watch the league and it’s very embarrassing to say the least. The pitches are pathetic. Sure Zambia is plenty of water and manure (if they can’t afford fertilizer). Even Zimbabwe with all their economic problems their pitches are far much better than in Zambia. Even the sate of their league is better than the ZPL. Sure work culture in Zambia is very bad. Don’t even talk about the weather,because Zambia and Zimbabwe has the same weather pattern. It’s just poor working culture in the country.
Poor referring cost power, wasn’t a penalty.
Whether it was a penalty or not does not matter, Power simply weren’t good enough you don’t win games if you don’t score later on shoot at goal… You can have all the possession but if you don’t score you don’t win
Agreed infact both teams were not impressive on the day
The game showed that we have talent in Zambia.It was a fast game and full of skillful play from the likes Mudenda,Lally Bwalwa and Situmbeko.
The problem I have with Power, Nkana, Zanaco and Zesco is that they seem to enjoy competing for the Zambian league year after year without wanting to graduate to a higher level and establishing themselves as continental heavy weights. Bushe are there no filthy- rich soccer loving businessmen who can buy some zambian club and make it a professional outfit? We deceive ourselves watching local matches thinking we’re improving but when continental football comes o dear me! Ma 1st round calamities year after year. Awe mwe!
Billy. Its just the TV. Maybe if we switched to HD the pitch would look better. I remember watching one game live at woodlands Stadium and the pitch was in great condition and green, when I watched it on Supersport I was shocked. The same pitch looked really Bad. The piotches areent as bad as they lookj on TV. Trust me.
Really? OK thanks @Punch. I will be in Chingola next week and I will watch one match at Gabbitas stadium (Nchanga Stadium).
Billy. On the issue of why the Zimbabwean League is ahead its because the League is run as a Professiuonal Body, its been delinked from the FA for four years now, while in Zambia FAZ runs the League.
OK thanks @Punch
A When it comes to the appearance of Zambian football fields I don’t think the camera should be blamed. How come it works fine for playing fields in Nigeria or Zimbabwe? Nkoloma stadium is fantastic. It looks green and wonderful on TV. Are we saying that apart from Red Arrows no other club in Zambia can maintain a proper playing field?
Good question indeed Ba Alex.
We must keep on watering even if we are lossing . Ngezi
Zambian they dont want to spend money, They just want to dipend money.