Nkana vs Power: Derby Day in Kitwe

On Saturday, May 15, the good City of Kitwe will finally get a wholesome feel of its first derby in six years when Nkana host Power Dynamos in Wusakile.

Two years ago, Nkana returned for the first time to the Super Division since they were demoted in 2004 after four violent and ugly seasons in Division 1 north.

Unorganized and uncertain Nkana stayed just one season in the top flight before making an undisputed return to Division 1 north.

This season, Nkana have come back with some color with only two defeats all so far, but are unbeaten at home.

Today, a Nkana will for once have a spring in their step and walking with more self-esteem as they take on archrival Power who rightfully defeated them in back-to-back league wins in 2008.

Nkana have this time around assembled a formidable side of new and old players led by veteran Douglas Chiwaya who has unashamedly treaded on both sides of the Kitwe-Ndola Dual Carriageway for the last decade.

Moreover, Nkana’s current disposition will mean for the first time since 2004, Kitwe will truly be divided into red and yellow.

While there has been very little semblance of derby day approaching all week, Saturday will be an exception when one walks the streets of Kitwe on the morning of May 15, with vuvuzela’s and chanting very evident.

Even the savage yard, Kitwe’s main bus station will be divided into red and yellow.

However, the battle lines there will be hard to distinguish but each bus will show its allegiance in the mayhem of commerce as the transporters go about the business of making hay from their payload.

Talking about commerce, Nkana have thrown away notions of economics coming into this match.

Nkana have decided to take the risk of playing a major money spinner at their Wusakile home ground.

“Pa Chilata” as the iconic venue is known by Nkana’s friend and foe, is porous and how much the club will make from its 5000 seater venue will be interesting to know.

Nkana refused to entertain the thought of the match being played at a more secure 15 000 seater venue home ground of their rival Power stating common sense was to play at their official home ground and nowhere else.

Nkana may not be wrong in their wish to play in Wusakile.

The odds in this match favor them.

Power will be without four key players with prominently missing being their influential duo of attackers in Kennedy Mudenda and  Luka Lungu due to CHAN commitments.

Also missing will be goalkeeper Rabson Muchelenganga and defender Daudi Musekwa.

The onus will be on their fading striker Elson Mkandawire and new-boy from DR Congo Xavier Tshiboko and Zimbabwean midfielder Trevor Nkomo to give Power some semblance of tangible decency.

Simon Bwalya too is available and one hopes it will click to him that it is derby day and not Lusaka Dynamos versus City of Lusaka at Queensmead.

Meanwhile, Nkana will greatly miss the services of their Buchi import from Kitwe United in midfield hard man Joseph Kamalondo due to injury.

Striker Rabson Lwambula will also be missing due to CHAN duties but Chiwala will be there to offer some wisdom and inspiration in a match Nkana have more to gain than to lose.