The Kitwe derby, according to Nkana legend Kenneth ‘Bubble’ Malitoli, is a fixture that divides families for 90 minutes before reuniting them again.
The stage for this season’s send-off derby between Power Dynamos and Nkana will be played at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, a decision that has polarised opinion.
There could be no better time for Zambia’s biggest rivalry to take place than this weekend, when the teams are experiencing a similar patch of low form.
In their last five league games, Power had two wins, one defeat, and two draws, just like their rivals, Nkana.
Although not at their optimum best, Power is in a better place than Nkana, as they sit third on the log with 48 points, 14 better than their Wusakile Rivals, who sit 11th.
Usually, form in derbies counts for nothing. And in games like this, it is not about what the coaches have prepared; it is about which players want it the most.
In their last 30 meetings since 2011, Power has managed to register 16 wins, six games have ended in draws. Nkana, on the other hand, has collected only eight victories.
65 goals have been scored in the 30 meetings, with Power managing 41, better than Nkana, who scored 24.
This will not bother Nkana fans; they will brag that they have 13 league titles, six better than their Ndeke rivals.
Their last meeting on November 12, 2023, ended 2 – 0 in favour of Power at Nkana Stadium.
It is all to play for today with both teams boasting of players who can turn this game in favour of their team.
What has been said?
Speaking ahead of the match, Nkana coach Ian Bakala stated that unlike his team, Power is under pressure because they are the defending champions.
“We are not under pressure,” Bakala told a pre-match press conference in Kitwe on Thursday. “In fact, it’s power that has the pressure because they are the defending champions; for us, we just have to go there and win.”
Power’s coach, Oswald Mutapa, wants his team to play beautiful football and enjoy the derby.
“It’s a game that we need to play and enjoy. We need to play good football… And yes, we are not going to play under pressure.”
Meanwhile, Nkana legend Malitoli is relishing the encounter.
“This game is always an interesting one,” he said in an interview. “it is sad that during my days I never scored in this game, but it is always a tough game, one that divides families.”
