ZESCO United Football Club Team Ya Ziko
It is an encounter that divides two great cities of the mighty Copperbelt Province. A clash between ZESCO United and Nkana has recently found its special place among the great derbies of the Zambian game, particularly among the Copperbelt based football lovers.
Kitwe City has been the birthplace of some of the finest teams and players that have graced Zambian football at least from the 60’s to arguably the late 90’s.
Nkana, Power Dynamos and the mighty Kitwe United are some of the finest club sides that will forever find their place in the annals of Zambian football.
This narrative which has littered the Zambian football scene in the last decades has however, taken a new twist resulting in a shift in the balance of power.
The last two decades have seen Ndola based club sides take the highest place amongst the country’s most decorated teams.
ZESCO United has been a breath of fresh air and arguably a panacea to the oomph, pride and collective bias that is often exuded when it comes to bragging rights between the fans from the City of Ndola and Kitwe.
The Ndola based league giants have managed to dethrone the country’s most celebrated club sides from the summit of the Zambian game.
In 48-years, ZESCO United has won 9 league titles, amassed in the last 17-years of the club coming of age. They are still on course to make it 10 provided they win the 2021/22 league campaign.
Nkana on the other hand, founded in 1935, 39-years older than their Saturday rivals has 13 league titles to their name collected over a period of 87 years.
This subdued ego especially among the fervent Nkana fans has in recent years culminated into not too often expected clarion calls even from some Wusakile die-hard fans: “Ba ZESCO United twalishiba ati tulibakashibenu, mulatuwina.” However, one has to take such sentiments at their own peril.
ZESCO United players will not be fooled or enticed by such sentiments when the two giants clash on Saturday.
Last season Nkana beat ZESCO United 0-1 at the Levy Mwanawasa stadium, leading to joyous celebrations that could have left one thinking the Wusakile Boys had just collected their 14th league title.
The scenes of Nkana official club bus circling Kitwe town roundabout more than once, halting traffic in-and-out of the City in the process was testament of the silent rivalry that exists between the two sides.
Beating ZESCO United was the only thing that mattered to Nkana despite surrendering the title back to the giants of Ndola.
Sydney Musonda, Nkana die-hard supporter believes the Wusakile Boys are back to reclaim their rightful spot as a top team in Zambia.
“We respect ZESCO United as a team. They have dominated us in the last 8-9 years, but we believe the tide has started to shift. Saturday’s fixture favours our boys going by the recent record against them.
“Last year we beat them home and away. These results show that we have what it takes to collect maximum points on Saturday. We have already done one on them this season.
“I am predicting a 2-1 score line in favour of Nkana because we have boys like Richard Ngoma, Chisala and Alex’Bazo’ Ngonga to deliver the results,” Musonda said.
Musonda is not the only one talking. ZESCO United supporter Michael Lungu believes ZESCO United have what it takes to beat the 13times league champions despite dropping points last weekend.
“We have very high expectations especially that we are playing Nkana. It is going to be a tough game especially when you look at the recent results between the two teams.
“No ZESCO United fan want to lose to Nkana because we know that they will scorn and mock us for the whole week. I don’t want to go to work on Monday knowing that they beat us.
“I am hoping our players know what is at stake. I am predicting a 2-1 victory in favour of ZESCO United,” Mumbwa said.
Meanwhile Maxwell Chishimba another ZESCO United die-hard supporter believes Saturday’s encounter will be a tight affair.
“It is a big game for both teams. Our form hasn’t been very good which puts Nkana favourites. They look more settled as a team than us. However, I still strongly feel ZESCO United has what it takes to beat Nkana on Saturday.
“Our boys should just give their whole for the team and for this beautiful City. I am predicting a 1-0 victory for ZESCO United.”
If records are to go by, ZESCO United have only beaten Nkana once in the last four meetings with the latter claiming 3 victories.
Coach Numba Mumamba’s side will be eager to turn the tables following Saturdays 0-2 loss to Kansanshi Dynamos.
The stage is set for another explosive match between ZESCO United and Nkana to be staged at the Levy Mwanawasa stadium, Ndola on Saturday.
Author: Desmond Katongo
