The Kitwe Derby is the meeting of the association football clubs Nkana and Power Dynamos, both of which are based in Kitwe, Copperbelt Province, Zambia. The two clubs are among the most prominent football teams in Kitwe, and their meetings are regarded as one of the notable rivalries in Zambian football. The derby is also known as the El Kopala and Chibwe Derby.
The rivalry developed after Power Dynamos were promoted to the Zambian top flight in 1979. Before then, Nkana's main local rivalry was with Kitwe United. Since Power Dynamos joined the top flight, the two clubs have regularly met in the Zambia Super League and domestic cup competitions.
As of April 2025, the two teams had recorded 32 meetings since 2011, with Power Dynamos winning 16, Nkana winning 10 and six matches ending in draws. Power Dynamos have scored 42 goals in those matches, compared with 28 by Nkana.
The two clubs play their home matches at Nkana Stadium in Wusakile and Arthur Davies Stadium in Ndeke respectively. Both stadiums are located in Kitwe and are used for meetings between the clubs.
The derby has also been marked by incidents involving supporters. In April 2025, a match at Nkana Stadium ended in a 1–1 draw after Power Dynamos were awarded a late penalty. The decision was followed by disturbances and damage to stadium seats, with reports stating that more than 500 seats were damaged.
Origins and Significance The rivalry gained prominence following Power Dynamos’ promotion to the Zambian top flight in 1979. Prior to that, local football rivalries in Kitwe mainly featured Nkana and Kitwe United. The Kitwe Derby is also affectionately known by names like "El Kopala" and "Chibwe Derby," reflecting local culture and the close-knit football community in the Copperbelt.
Atmosphere The derby is famous for its electrifying atmosphere, often drawing record-breaking crowds and generating massive interest across Zambia. Fans from across the Copperbelt and beyond travel to witness the match live, and local broadcasters and media provide extensive coverage.
Recent Incidents The 2025 edition of the Kitwe Derby ended in drama and controversy. A late penalty awarded to Power Dynamos led to outrage among Nkana supporters, resulting in crowd trouble and vandalism. Over 500 stadium seats were reportedly damaged, and the Zambian government publicly condemned the violence.
Despite the tension, the match ended 1–1 and was hailed for its competitive quality.
Competitive record
Since 2011, Power Dynamos have held the advantage in the derby. They had won 16 of the 32 recorded meetings, compared with 10 wins for Nkana and six draws, before the 2025–26 season. The teams drew 1–1 on 8 November 2025 before Power Dynamos won 1–0 at home on 11 April 2026. Power Dynamos therefore have 17 wins to Nkana's 10, with seven draws in the recorded meetings since 2011.
Overall record Team League Cups* Total Fixtures 31 1 32 Nkana 10 1 11 Power Dynamos 15 0 15 Draws 6 0 6
*Includes the 2014 Barclays Cup quarter-final. League record covers matches from 2011 through the 2025–26 season.
Win percentage + Team League Cup Overall Nkana 32.3% 100% 34.4% Power Dynamos 48.4% 0% 46.9% Draws 19.4% 0% 18.8%
All-time results
League
Season Date Venue Fixture Score 2025–26 11 April 2026 Arthur Davies Stadium Power Dynamos vs Nkana1–0 2025–26 8 November 2025 Nkana Stadium Nkana vs Power Dynamos1–1 2024–25 20 April 2025 Nkana Stadium Nkana vs Power Dynamos1–1 2024–25 7 December 2024 Arthur Davies Stadium Power Dynamos vs Nkana1–2 2023–24 20 April 2024 Arthur Davies Stadium Power Dynamos vs Nkana0–2 2023–24 12 November 2023 Nkana Stadium Nkana vs Power Dynamos0–2 2022–23 29 April 2023 Arthur Davies Stadium Power Dynamos vs Nkana2–0 2022–23 19 November 2022 Nkana Stadium Nkana vs Power Dynamos0–1 2021–22 23 April 2022 Arthur Davies Stadium Power Dynamos vs Nkana1–0 2021–22 12 December 2021 Nkana Stadium Nkana vs Power Dynamos2–0 2020–21 9 May 2021 Arthur Davies Stadium Power Dynamos vs Nkana0–2 2020–21 27 February 2021 Nkana Stadium Nkana vs Power Dynamos0–3 2019–20 22 December 2019 Arthur Davies Stadium Power Dynamos vs Nkana3–0 2019 20 April 2019 Arthur Davies Stadium Power Dynamos vs Nkana0–2 2019 16 February 2019 Nkana Stadium Nkana vs Power Dynamos0–2 2018 7 July 2018 Arthur Davies Stadium Power Dynamos vs Nkana2–2 2018 2 April 2018 Nkana Stadium Nkana vs Power Dynamos1–2 2017 21 October 2017 Arthur Davies Stadium Power Dynamos vs Nkana0–1 2017 17 June 2017 Nkana Stadium Nkana vs Power Dynamos1–2 2016 3 September 2016 Arthur Davies Stadium Power Dynamos vs Nkana1–0 2016 14 May 2016 Nkana Stadium Nkana vs Power Dynamos1–1 2015 29 August 2015 Arthur Davies Stadium Power Dynamos vs Nkana2–1 2015 3 May 2015 Nkana Stadium Nkana vs Power Dynamos1–0 2014 26 October 2014 Arthur Davies Stadium Power Dynamos vs Nkana1–2 2014 14 June 2014 Nkana Stadium Nkana vs Power Dynamos1–1 2013 9 November 2013 Arthur Davies Stadium Power Dynamos vs Nkana1–1 2013 3 July 2013 Nkana Stadium Nkana vs Power Dynamos2–0 2012 20 October 2012 Arthur Davies Stadium Power Dynamos vs Nkana2–0 2012 19 May 2012 Nkana Stadium Nkana vs Power Dynamos1–5 2011 6 August 2011 Arthur Davies Stadium Power Dynamos vs Nkana0–1 2011 9 April 2011 Nkana Stadium Nkana vs Power Dynamos0–0
Cup
Competition Date Venue Fixture Score Barclays Cup 14 September 2014 Nkoloma Stadium Nkana vs Power Dynamos2–0
Stadiums
Nkana Stadium (Wusakile) – home of Nkana F.C. Arthur Davies Stadium (Ndeke) – home of Power Dynamos F.C.
See also
Zambian Super League Nkana F.C. Power Dynamos F.C. List of association football rivalries
References