Kitwe United, Nkana Draw in Derby Feast

Nkana and Kitwe United on Sunday served up a rare local derby treat at Garden Park in the two sides Division 1 north week 11 game.

Garden Park was packed and one would have also mistaken the electric atmosphere to that of a big Faz Premier Division clash.

Moreover, the quality of the game was by far higher than their well-heeled rivals Power Dynamos display 24 hours earlier across town at Arthur Davies Stadium where they drew 0-0 against Choma Eagles.

Latecomers didn’t miss a thing due to a 30 minute delay thanks to a clash of jerseys and the long wait didn’t disappoint, that was coupled with a light-hearted moment, courtesy of two animated fans just a few minutes before the delayed kickoff.

Getting a little tired of the long wait, the two fans climbed over the perimeter fence and took to the pitch gesturing with a finger to wrist before the police gave chase.

And when the game did finally start, Nkana supplied the attacking spark led by striker Evans “Singuluma” Kangwa who has so far scored 9 goals from 11 games this season.

However, he found a solid wall in United’s giant teenage defender Levy Makungu who didn’t put a foot wrong the entire game with some crude but well-timed tackling.

United’s stout defending is clear for all to see on the table where they have the meanest defence and also the poorest strike-force conceding 2 goals and 1 for from 8 matches played with 2 games in hand.

And while United have suffered from a chronic drought of striker deficiency stretching back four years, Nkana could not match them in midfield where playmaker Victor Kashitu inspired but was let down by the misfiring nature of team mate and veteran striker Ezzie Lundu.

United’s best chances on goal the entire game came after coach Emmanuel Siwale threw on substitute and life-long stalwart Chishala Mwandama-the lone survivor from their 2001 promoted team.

United surely should erect a statue in honor of the beanpole striker when he finally retires if they can afford one, albeit life-size, for sticking around from boom to bust and endured the wrath of Garden Park’s volatile supporters.

He had one effort cleared off the line in the 75th minute and another saved by Kelvin Mulenga, who together with one Patrick Kabamba now of Zanaco and William Chinse, joined Nkana from United three seasons ago when the Garden Park club was demoted.

United later had a penalty appeal turned down after a hand ball on the edge of the area.

However, in the spirit of fairness, a free kick instead was all United got.

The scoreless draw was a fair and justifiable result for such a rare treat of pure flowing derby action that if one is lucky to witness, comes once every season.

 Fewdays Musonda’s Nkana continues to lead the table with 19 points from 10 games, while Mufulira Blackpool are second on 17 points and seeking to end a 10-year absence from top-flight football.

[leaguestandings league_id=2 mode=extend logo=false]