Former Nkana Football Club defender Chitoshi Chinga has sent a passionate message to his former teammates ahead of Saturday’s highly anticipated Kitwe Derby against fierce rivals Power Dynamos, urging them to fight for pride and deliver a morale-boosting win for the fans.

Now turning out for CAPS United in Zimbabwe, Chinga featured in last season’s derby and knows the weight the fixture carries for players and supporters alike.

With Nkana enduring a winless run of ten games—drawing four and losing six—the 13-time Zambian champions are currently second from bottom on the MTN Super League table with just four points.

Speaking to Bola News from his base in Harare, Chinga said the derby offers Nkana the perfect chance to reignite their season.

“You know, to start with, this winless run at times happens… You can stay maybe four games without a win, but it doesn’t need to go to ten games because your confidence will go down,” he said.

“No excuse for losing the derby” – Chinga.

“If you’re playing for a team like Nkana, there’s no excuse. In each game you need to show up because you’re carrying a lot of people on your shoulders.”

He emphasized that the derby is a game where mistakes are unforgiving.

“Most of the guys know how important this game is—there’s no excuse for losing the derby. Once you make a mistake in the derby, your stay at Nkana is done. So I’m sure the guys will show up like always,” Chinga said.

He added that victory over Power Dynamos would mean more than just three points for the club and its fans.

“This win is very important because the team hasn’t been winning. The only way they can pay supporters back is by winning the derby—they owe them this game. Once they win this game, I’m sure they’ll be back to winning ways.”

Nkana face defending champions Power Dynamos this Saturday in what promises to be a fiery encounter at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.