The Zambian Premier League (ZPL) has clarified that it is not officially rebranding the traditional Kitwe Derby, but rather using “Kopala Derby” as a creative marketing concept to expand the game’s appeal.
Kopala is a popular slang term for the Copperbelt region in Zambia.
On November 8, Zambia’s biggest football rivalry will be on display when traditional foes Nkana and Power Dynamos clash at Ndola’s Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in a Week 11 MTN Super League encounter.
Traditionally known as the Kitwe Derby, the match has in recent years been loosely referred to as the Kopala Derby, a name that has gained momentum ahead of this season’s showdown.
Earlier this week, ZPL ran a poll on its WhatsApp Channel captioned “Which One Is It?”, asking followers to choose between Kopala Derby, Kitwe Derby, or Both. Out of the platform’s 77,000 followers, 237 voted for Kopala Derby, 84 for Kitwe Derby, and 31 are okay with both.
The poll was also made on X, and 45% of the 85 votes supported the Kopala derby.
It followed a similar post on Facebook, where the league managers posed the same question: “Kopala Derby or Kitwe Derby?”
The posts drew mixed reactions from fans. While some supporters welcomed what seemed like a creative rebranding of the rivalry, others opposed the idea of changing the name of a match that has outlived generations.
Responding to a press query, ZPL Head of Communications, Christina Zulu, clarified that the initiative was not an official name change but a marketing strategy aimed at broadening the derby’s appeal.
“ZPL is not rebranding or stopping anyone from using ‘Kitwe Derby.’ What we’re doing is finding creative ways to market the game beyond the walls of Kitwe.”
She added: “Kopala Derby gives the match a broader identity; it makes even neutrals feel part of it. To fill up Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, we need more than just Kitwe; we need the entire Copperbelt and beyond.
“Think of it like music; nobody stops anyone from doing a remix as long as the original is credited. The original ‘Kitwe Derby’ refers to Nkana vs Kitwe United, but now that’s not the case.
“We can still create new ways to reach a wider audience.
“From our recent polls across Twitter, Facebook, and WhatsApp Channels, ‘Kopala Derby’ clearly resonated more.
“People love the sound and idea of it. It’s fresh, inclusive, and represents the ‘Kopala Nation,’ not just one city.
“But if you are looking for the official name of the match, it is MTN Super League Week 11 Fixture between Nkana and Power Dynamos. Anything else is just extra to add flavor to the game,” Zulu said.
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