Nkana FC is a football club based in Kitwe, Zambia. The football team competes in the MTN Super League, the top division of Zambian football. Nkana FC has won 13 League titles, making it Zambia's most successful league club, and second overall behind Mufulira Wanderers, with 52 trophies. They play their home games at Nkana Stadium in Wusakile, Kitwe.
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The club is currently sponsored by Mopani Copper Mines who are also the team's major owners.[1] The club has also acquired a kit sponsorship deal with global online gambling company Betway.
In 2020, after the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases recorded in Zambia, Mopani Copper Mines reduced the sponsorship deal to the club by 50 percent, citing the failure of the copper prices due to the pandemic. The club decided to sign other sponsorship deals with The Zambia Revenue Authority and The Copperbelt University.[relevant? – discuss]
Nkana FC has one of the biggest fan bases in Zambia; the die-hard fans are known for their noisy and passionate support of their club.[2] Before the launch of the Stop Hooliganism in Football campaign by the MTN/FAZ Super League Teams' Supporters Associations, it was the tradition of the Nkana Fans to escalate violence especially after their team conceded a goal or lost a match through questionable officiating.[citation needed]
Nkana FC is one of Zambia’s oldest football clubs having been formed in 1935 in Kitwe's Wusakile 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.[3] Coached by Moses Simwala, a number of prominent players ran out for Nkana during this time frame.[4]
Nkana were Relegated from the top flight of Zambian football for the first time in their history in 2004, and their period in Division One was plagued by financial problems.[5] However, Nkana returned to the top flight after winning the 2007 Division One North title.[6]
Over the years, Nkana has accumulated a record of success having won the MTN/FAZ Super League 13 times, most recently in 2020.
On 23 May 2014, head coach Masautso Mwale died in a road traffic accident on the eve of their home game against Séwé Sport of the Ivory Coast in Group B in the 2014 CAF Confederation Cup. The accident occurred near the Maposa area and his car was overturned several times as he was driving back to join the team in Kitwe.[7]
Nkana's archrivals are Power Dynamos F.C., with whom they share the city. The two teams are just separated by the Kitwe-Ndola dual carriageway. When the two teams meet, the city is divided, and the winners in the Kitwe Derby or "El Kopala"[8] get the city bragging rights.
- Zambian Premier League: 13
- 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1999, 2001, 2013, 2020
- Zambian Charity Shield: 18
- 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2020
- Heinrich Cup/Chibuku Cup/Heroes and Unity Cup: 5
- 1969, 1974, 1989, 1990, 1993
- Zambian Champion of Champions Cup: 2
- 2000 – Second Round
- 2002 – Second Round
- 2014 – Second Round
- 1998 – Quarter-Finals
- 2001 – Second Round
- 1999 – Second Round
