By Kalumiana Kalumiana
Elijah Tana undergoes his second test as interim Nkana coach today when they visit Mutondo Stars in a Kitwe derby scheduled FAZ Super League Week 25 fixture at Arthur Davies Stadium.
Tana, who replaced his boss Mwenya Chipepo last week after the latter was suspended after 3 successive losses, started his tenure on Saturday with a 2-0 home win over Konkola Blades across the road at Nkana Stadium.
That result saw Nkana end their 3-match losing run.
This afternoon, Tana will attempt to strengthen his credentials with another favourable result in this Kitwe derby that looks minor but has deep connections between Nkana and Mutondo.
Mutondo is owned by ex-Nkana officials, and the rivalry is intense despite the little hype the so-called second-grade Kitwe derby receives.
Moreover, Nkana are unbeaten against Mutondo in their last 4 meetings since the latter was promoted in the 2023/2024 season.
Nkana has won 2 and drawn 2, and the only loss came in Mutondo’s first Kitwe derby game against the record 13-time Zambian champions, which they won 1-0 at home.
And so the match is key to Tana’s probation while the big Kitwe derby against Power Dynamos is still 5 games away.
But Mutondo are in good form despite sitting on the trapdoor of the bottom 4 relegation zone at number 14 on 25 points, just three points behind Nkana, who are 11th.
Mutondo are unbeaten in their last 8 games with 5 draws and 3 wins, and so they have the momentum coming into the derby that each side wouldn’t want to lose.
In the first leg, Nkana and Mutondo played out to a scoreless draw.
Meanwhile, at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka, second-placed Red Arrows host Kansanshi Dynamos, fighting to return to winning ways and stay a very close number two behind leaders Power Dynamos who are in action tomorrow at home in Kitwe against FC MUZA.
Arrows come into the match five days after losing 2-1 away to FC MUZA in Mazabuka, which left them trailing 5 points behind Power.
Arrows have 43 points, while Power leads on 48 points from 23 and 22 games played respectively.
Arrows coach Chisi Mbewe said in his pre-match interview, ‘Yes, with 10 games left before the 2025/2026 FAZ Super League title is decided, they must ensure they stay in the top two bracket and not let Power out of their sights.
“The team is ready. This is a crucial game. It is not a game that will be easy because Kansanshi is trying to avoid relegation. Our expectations are high. The league has reached the climax and we don’t expect anything less than a win. We have to double up our efforts and get the decisive result,” Mbewe said.
A win for Arrows will see them stay at number two but move them within two points of Power who play on Thursday when they host FC MUZA at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe.
FAZ Super League Week 24 Fixtures
11/03/2026
Green Eagles – Nkwazi
Red Arrows – Kansanshi Dynamos
Konkola Blades – Kabwe Warriors
Mufulira Wanderers – FC Leopards
Mutondo Stars – Nkana
12/03/2026
Napsa Stars – Nchanga Rangers
Power Dynamos – FC MUZA
Green Buffaloes – ZANACO
