Midfielder Charles Zulu’s 19th-minute strike ended Nkana FC’s six-season wait for an opening-day victory as Kalampa began the 2026 MTN Super League campaign with a 1-0 win over Trident FC at Sentinel Grounds in Kalumbila on Saturday.
The victory marked Nkana’s first win in their opening league fixture since 2019, bringing an end to a run of six consecutive seasons without an opening-day win.
The fixture itself was historic for Trident FC, with Sentinel Grounds hosting its first-ever MTN Super League match on Trident’s home turf. Nkana made the decisive breakthrough in the 19th minute when Zulu found the back of the net, with goalkeeper William Mtonga providing the assist on his competitive debut for Kalampa.
The match also saw several players make their competitive debuts for Nkana, with defender Simon Chipanama making his first appearance in Kalampa colours, while Jackson Kampamba was also handed his debut.
In the 61st minute, Nduna Zulu replaced Patrick Gondwe, while Chipanama made way for Kampamba as Nkana continued to manage the contest. Defender Francis Debra was shown a yellow card in the 77th minute for unsportsmanlike behaviour before the closing stages produced further drama.
Trident were reduced to ten men in the 90th minute when Sam Sikasote was shown a red card for a challenge on Debra. Attention now turns to the second league fixture, with newly promoted Makeni All Stars next up at Nkana Stadium on Saturday, 10 October.
