By NDINAWE SIMPELWE –
ZAMBIA’S most exciting derby comes to life at this early stage of the season as record title winners Nkana host their biggest rivals Power Dynamos from across the road at Nkana Stadium in the MTN-FAZ Super Division Week-Four match.
Also happening today is a Southern Province derby where New Monze Swallows and Green Eagles face off.
Nkana vs Power
Power will be playing their second Kitwe derby in a space of three days after drawing 1-1 with Kitwe United on Friday.
Though fans called the Friday game a “mini derby”, it had all the ingredients for a big derby and a big lesson was picked by Power coach Kelvin Kaindu over pressures of such a game.
Today, he should expect even a more hostile environment as Nkana fans enjoy seeing their town rivals lose.
“I have been away for some time. Playing my first derby will be interesting. I know what is at stake when it is a derby and we have to get the right result,” Kaindu said.
Nkana coach Beston Chambeshi’s first game on his return to the Nkana job last year was against Power at the same venue which the visitors won 1-2.
However, Nkana revenged that defeat by winning at Arthur Davis in the return fixture.
“We have prepared very well, the boys are looking forward to the game, and we are ready for the game. All we need is to do is motivate the players and see to it that we play well,” Chambeshi said.
Power are currently toping the table on seven points but would have been two points better had not been for a misfiring of Alex Ng’onga who missed a myriad of chances against Kitwe which included a penalty.
On paper, Nkana have a lethal striking force with Ronald Kampamba, Idriss Mbombo, Walter Bwalya and Festus Mbewe but Power, on the hand, can be deadly when Larry Bwalya and Kelvin Mubanga come to the party.
Buffaloes vs Nkwazi
Second-placed Green Buffaloes will hoping to go top if they beat Nkwazi and Power loses.
But they will do well to concentrate on their match instead of paying attention to the proceedings in Kitwe.
Buffaloes missed the chance to go top after drawing with Arrows on Friday but they will be determined not to repeat the mistake against another defense sponsored side.
Nkwazi have found themselves in eighth position after three matches and upped their game against big teams.
Coach Bilton Musonda is determined to qualify Buffaloes back to the CAF championship and he knows picking up results early in the season is key to attaining that target.
Napsa v Dynamos
The two sides have not had the best of starts to the season as they are without a win so far as they face off in this Lusaka derby.
Pressure is mounting for Napsa coach Linos Makwaza as the team is underperforming despite having a decent season last year with a lot of hope for a better outing this year.
Dan Kabwe at Dynamos is yet to establish himself but he is a coach with high credentials and is soon expected to turn his side, full of talented players, into a deadly force.
Kitwe Utd v Nakambala
CONFIDENCE is slowly building up in the newly promoted Kitwe United and as they host Nakambala Leopards today, Garden Park will pack to rafters.
The 1-1 draw against Power on Friday is testimony that Kitwe will not be a pushover this season but coach Stephen Mwansa must ensure that this slight success does not get to the heads of the players.
Furthermore, Kitwe need to know that Nakambala is coached by one of the most experienced coaches in the league in Patrick Phiri who knows how to get results at any venue.
KYSA v Arrows
THERE was a lot of hype on Red Arrows in the pre-season after the team camped in Spain ahead of the season kick-off and fans expected the side dominate.
But after three matches, Arrows with one of the most qualified coaches in Zambia are lying seventh with one win to their name but still boast of having not lost a game.
Kabwe Youth Soccer Academy are rock bottom having lost all their three matches and their destiny looks sealed as early as week three unless they turn their fortunes around.
For a team competing in the Super Division for the first time, KYSA is expected to struggle but they need to up their game before they break Mufulira Blackpool record of finishing the season without a win.
Warriors v Rangers
These are two teams that have recently been perpetual relegation strugglers.
Warriors hired Tenant Chilumba to help bring glory back to the town but has drawn twice and lost the other in the opening three matches.
Rangers on the other hand shocked everyone including themselves when they beat Napsa Stars in Lusaka in Week Two and a bigger shock followed when they failed to beat New Monze Swallows at home on Friday.
With such inconsistencies, it is difficult to place these two teams where they belong but they will fight for the points today.
Swallows v Eagles
New Monze Swallows take on Green Eagles in the provincial derby in the country as the newcomers look for their first win.
Eagles are fifth on the table and are expected to have it easy against Swallows but the hosts have been impressive especially with their striking force which is scoring goals in almost every match.