Last Saturday, the highly anticipated Week 15 MTN Super League Derby between Power Dynamos and Nkana at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium lived up to its billing, with the latter emerging victorious by 2 goals to 1.
The derby which pits the two bitter rivals from Kitwe was played in neighbouring City of Ndola for the second consecutive season.
But that did not deter the fans from flocking to Ndola and cheer their respective sides.
The match was a captivating contest, with both sides delivering high levels of intensity, but it was the away team, Nkana, who walked away with the bragging rights.
The game began with early pressure from both teams, but Nkana, struck first.
Striker Lazarous Kambole opened the scoring in the 15th minute sending the away fans into raptures.
Power however, responded with determination, creating several opportunities but failed to find the back of the net for Nkana to take a slender 1-0 lead going into the break.
The second half started with even more drama, Nkana captain Harrison Chisala doubled his team’s lead just minutes after the restart, sending a clear message of Nkana’s desire to win.
However, Power did not give up and continued to press for a goal. Their persistence paid off in the 78th minute when substitute Moses Phiri pulled one back for the home side.
Another substitute Jacob Kaunda had a chance to level matters in the dying minutes but fluffed his effort from inside the 18-yard box.
And when referee Hilary Hambaba blew the final whistle, Nkana bursted into pandemonium of celebrations as crestfallen Power fans and players made they way out of the stadium quietly.
Beyond the exciting football on display, what made the derby even more special was the incredible turnout at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
More than half of the stadium was filled with passionate fans, creating an electric atmosphere that fueled the excitement of the match. The turnout was a testament to the growing interest in the local league, far exceeding the attendance of previous derbies at the same venue.
Zambian Premier League (ZPL) Chairman Mr. Kephas Katongo was full of praise for both the fans and the teams after the match.
In a statement in the aftermath of the game, Katongo congratulated Nkana on their victory and expressed his admiration for the fans who turned out in large numbers to support their teams.
“First, I would like to congratulate Nkana FC for their victory in the derby. And congratulations to the fans as well, who showed up in their numbers, charging up the atmosphere at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium. These numbers for a local derby symbolise the growth of football in our country, and we look forward to filling up Levy Mwanawasa Stadium next year for the return fixture,” Katongo said.
The game, combined with the vibrant support from the fans, has set the stage for an exciting remainder of the season, as teams fight to qualify for the ABSA Cup with just two games to go.
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