. Chiyangi

By SHAMAOMA MUSONDA –
ONE of Zambia’s biggest derbies rolls back to life in Kitwe today when Power Dynamos’ credentials as 2015 MTN-FAZ Super League title contenders comes under scrutiny by sworn rivals, Nkana, at Arthur Davies Stadium.
With leaders Zesco United only back in action tomorrow, Zanaco will also hope to stay second when they host relegation-fearing Nakambala Leopards in Lusaka.
The battle for survival by teams at the basement of the table also intensifies as the league enters Week 22, before the close of the 2015 season.
Power v Nkana
Arguably the mother of all derbies in local football stirs back to life this afternoon as Ndeke Township-based Power Dynamos host Wusakile side Nkana, just across the Ndola-Kitwe dual carriage way.
Despite not being the oldest rivalry in Zambian football, this fixture has become a tense affair, one that divides Kitwe city.
Heading into today’s match, third-placed Power will be desperate to end their winless spell against 12-time league champions since 2012.
In the past, there were several stories but none excites the fans more than one in the 1980s where Nkana’s Kapambwe ‘Gentile’ Mulenga was rumoured to have bought a new six-stud boot specifically for Lucky Msiska of Power.
“That rumour freaked me out, I couldn’t train properly the whole week. I kept turning on the bed every night for the whole week and when the day came, I failed to perform. Kapambwe remains the most difficult defender I had ever faced,” Msiska once told the Times.
Though the intensity seems to have simmered down over the years, the bragging rights still remain an issue between the fans of the two sides and it will up for the whole Africa to see on Supersport.
Nkana, eighth on 28 points, came out on top in the earlier encounter this year winning 1-0 at home, and coach Aggrey Chiyangi will hope for no alteration to the history books.
Power, on 42 points, know too well that they cannot afford to slip up again, especially after losing the last game 1-0 away to Mufulira Wanderers.
Zanaco v Nakambala
Troubled Nakambala Leopards will be hoping to end their winless spell at Zanaco since earning their first promotion to the elite league in 2006.
Veteran coach Patrick Phiri, whose Nakambala side has lost six times at Sunset Stadium, will be targeting to redeem the team in Lusaka this afternoon.
Mumamba Numba’s Zanaco, on 42 points but with a better goal difference against Power, are, however, favourites to maintain their routine edge over Nakambala.
Dynamos v Napsa
Another derby though with little clout is this Lusaka one between ‘The Elite’ Lusaka Dynamos who will be hosting troubled Napsa Stars with the result set to give a clear picture about the latter’s season.
Napsa have been showing improved performance but without results and will hope for an outright win over Dynamos to help beat the drop.
Dynamos know a win for them will further get them closer to the year-end aim of surviving relegation.
In other games today, National Assembly host Nkwazi in another Lusaka derby with Red Arrows guesting Green Eagles in Choma while Nchanga Rangers welcome Green Buffaloes.