Nkana beat Zesco in Copperbelt Derby

Saturday Oct 16, 2021. 19:56

Nkana have won the first installment of this seasons’ Copperbelt Derby after beating defending league champions Zesco United to a 1-0 home win at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe.

The result handed Zesco their second league loss from five games played in which they have collected 9 points.

Nkana went flying out of the blocks in probably their most convincing display this season.

But it was Zesco who threatened to take the lead against the run of play in the 7th minute when Chitiya Mususu volley was saved by Nkana goalkeeper Kelvin Malunga.

Nkana eventually broke the deadlock in the 18th minute through a Jacob Ngulube header when Zesco goalkeeper Gregory Sanjase parried Gilroy Chimwemwe’s corner into his path.

The hosts then had a 33rd minute penalty call denied by referee Mathews Hamalila when striker Alex Ngonga was fouled in the box.

Meanwhile, Zesco continued to struggle well into the last ten minutes of the second half in which they had just one great chance in the 81st minute when Enock Sakala’s header from a Dickson Chapa cross went inches high of the beam.

The win sees Nkana leap over 7th placed Zesco from 11th to number five on 10 and 9 points respectively.

New boys Kafue Celtic are 4th on 11 points after a 1-0 home win over fellow promoted side Kansanshi Dynamos.

Mwiza Siwale scored for Celtic in the 88th minute to extend their unbeaten run under coach Joel Bwalya to four games in which they have collected three wins and a draw.

Celtic are a point behind third placed Nkwazi and number two side Buildcon who are tied on 12 points following their scoreless draw in Ndola.

Elsewhere, Green Eagles were beaten 2-1 at home by Kabwe Warriors in a mid-table clash in Choma while in Chililabombwe, Konkola Blades were held to a scoreless home draw by fellow promoted side Chambishi FC.

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