Nkana F.C.

Nkana F.C.
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, which made it to be 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.
The club is currently sponsored by Mopani Copper Mines who are also the team's major owners. The club has also acquired a kit sponsorship deal with global online gambling company Betway.
However, controversies have surrounded the major sponsors of the club. In 2020, after the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases recorded in Zambia, the sponsors Mopani Copper Mines Plc reduced the sponsorship deal to the club by 50 percent citing the failing 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.
Nkana FC have one of the biggest fan base in Zambia, its die hard fans used to be known for their noisy and passionate support of their club. Otherwise, Before the Launch of the 'Stop Hooliganism in Football campaign by the MTN/FAZ Super League Teams' Supporters Associations, it was always the tradition of the Nkana Fans to escalate violence especially after their team conceded a goal or lost a football match in a questionable state of officiating.
History
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. Coached by Moses Simwala, a number of prominent players ran out for Nkana during this time frame.
Nkana were Relegated from the top flight for the first time in their history in 2004, and their period in Division One was plagued by financial problems. However Nkana returned to the top flight after winning the 2007 Division One North title.
Over the years, Nkana have accumulated a record of success having won the MTN/FAZ Super League Thirteen times, most recently in 2020.
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.
Rivals
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" get the city bragging rights.
Achievements
African Cup of Champions Clubs Runners-up:
1990
Zambian Premier League: 13
1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1999, 2001, 2013, 2020
Zambian Cup: 6
1986, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 2000
Zambian Charity Shield: 18
1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2020
Zambian Challenge Cup: 7
1964, 1966 (as Rhokana United)
1992, 1993, 1998, 1999, 2000
ABSA Cup: 1
2018
Heinrich Cup/Chibuku Cup/Heroes and Unity Cup: 5
1969, 1974, 1989, 1990, 1993
Zambian Champion of Champions Cup: 2
1986, 1993
Performance in CAF competitions
CAF Champions League: 3 appearances
2000 – Second Round
2002 – Second Round
2014 – Second Round
African Cup of Champions Clubs: 9 appearances
1983: Semi-Finals
1984: Quarter-Finals
1986: Semi-Finals
1987: Second Round
1989: Semi-Finals
1990: Finalist''
1991: Semi-Finals
1992: Quarter-Finals
1993: Quarter-Finals
1994: Semi-Finals
CAF Cup Winners' Cup: 2 appearances
1998 – Quarter-Finals
2001 – Second Round
CAF Cup: 1 appearance
1999 – Second Round
Former coaches
Gaston Mutobo
Jeff Butler
Beston Chambeshi
Jericho Shinde
Moses Simwala (1980–93)
Patrick Phiri (1997–02)
Ben Bamfuchile
Kenneth Malitoli (2007)
Masauso Mwale (2013–14)
Zeddy Saileti
Manfred Chabinga
References
Football clubs in Zambia
Association football clubs established in 1932
1935 establishments in Northern Rhodesia
Kitwe