Nkana F.C.

Nkana FC is a Zambian football club based in Kitwe that plays in the MTN/FAZ Super Division and is one of the country's most popular teams. It is Zambia's most successful league club with 13 titles, and second overall, winning 44 trophies, 5 behind Mufulira Wanderers. They play their home games at Nkana Stadium in Wusakili, Kitwe.

Nkana
Full nameNkana Football Club
Nickname(s)Kalampa (The Reds)
Red Devils
Founded1935
GroundNkana Stadium, Wusakili, Kitwe
Capacity10,000
ChairmanJoseph Silwamba
ManagerManfred Chabinga
LeagueZambian Premier League
20201st champions

The club is currently sponsored by Mopani Copper Mines.[1]

History

Nkana FC is one of Zambia’s oldest football clubs having been formed in 1935 in Kitwe's Wusakili township. The club was founded under the name of Rhokana United FC before it changed to Nkana Red Devils. In 1990, they were runners-up in the African Cup of Champions, the only Zambian team to ever reach the finals.

Nkana had a long history of success during the 1980s and early 1990s, winning nine league titles from 1982 to 1993.[2] Coached by Moses Simwala, a number of prominent players ran out for Nkala during this time frame.[3]

Nkana were demoted from the top flight for the first time in their history in 2004, and their period in the second division was plagued by financial problems.[4] However Nkana returned to the top flight after winning the 2007 Division One North title.[5]

Over the years, Nkana have accumulated a record of success having won the Premier League title twelve times, most recently in 2013.

On 23 May 2014, head coach Masautso Mwale died in a road traffic accident on the eve of the home game against Séwé Sport of the Ivory Coast in the Group B in the 2014 CAF Confederation Cup. The accident occurred near Maposa area and his car overturned several times as he was driving back to join the team in camp in Kitwe.[6]

Rivals

Nkana Fc vs Power Dynamos F.C. is the biggest derby in Zambia, also known as the Kopala Derby.[7]

Achievements
1990
1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1999, 2001, 2013, 2020
1986, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 2000
1964, 1966 (as Rhokana United)
1992, 1993, 1998, 1999, 2000
  • Heinrich Cup/Chibuku Cup/Heroes and Unity Cup: 5
1969, 1974, 1989, 1990, 1993
  • Zambian Champion of Champions Cup: 2
1986, 1993
1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2020

Performance in CAF competitions
2000 – Second Round
2002 – Second Round
2014 – Second Round
1998 – Quarter-Finals
2001 – Second Round
1999 – Second Round

Former coaches

References
  1. "Mopani seeks posts on Nkana executive". The Post Online. 2012-04-13. Archived from the original on 2013-12-02. Retrieved 2013-11-17.
  2. "Zambia Champions". rsssf.com.
  3. "Zambian Soccer Club History". Zambianfootball.news.
  4. "Super League History". FAZ. Archived from the original on 17 December 2018. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
  5. "Nkana, Chambishi promoted to Faz Premier League". Lusaka Times. 17 October 2007.
  6. "Tragic loss!! Nkana coach Masauso Mwale dies". ZamFoot. 2014-05-24. Archived from the original on 2014-09-04. Retrieved 2014-05-30.
  7. "Nkana versus Power Dynamos: Kopala derby best eleven – Zambia Daily Mail". www.daily-mail.co.zm. Retrieved 2017-07-07.
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