Kitwe derby to headline transition season pool A ‎

The stage is set for an explosive domestic campaign as the Zambian Premier League (ZPL) officially unveiled the format and fixtures for the 2026 MTN Super League Transition Season. Headlining the fixtures in Stream A is the much-anticipated Kitwe derby, pitting record 13-time Super Division champions Nkana FC against reigning league champions Power Dynamos. This historic fixture remains the crown jewel of Zambian club football, drawing massive nationwide interest as the two Copperbelt giants lock horns under the unique transitional format. The transitional competition, approved by the ZPL Board, has been devised to smoothly bridge domestic football from the previous schedule to a newly aligned calendar. Under the newly released structure, the top-flight division has been split into two streams—Stream A and Stream B—based on clubs' final positions from the preceding 2025/26 campaign. Teams finishing in odd-numbered positions were grouped into Stream A, placing powerhouses like Power Dynamos and Nkana alongside competitive outfits such as FC MUZA, ZANACO, and Nchanga Rangers. Meanwhile, Stream B features formidable contenders including ABSA Cup winners Red Arrows, ZESCO United, and Kabwe Warriors. Adjustments to the calendar mean the transition campaign will officially kick off following the international window and the traditional Charity Shield curtain-raiser. Action in Stream A gets underway on October 3, 2026, with Power Dynamos initiating their title defense away against Konkola Blades at the Konkola Stadium, while Nkana travels to face newly promoted Trident FC. Football enthusiasts across the Copperbelt and beyond have already marked their calendars for the derby showdowns, which promise high-stakes drama as teams jockey for supremacy during this historic short format. For local clubs, the transition season serves a dual purpose: maintaining high-level competitive momentum and adapting logistically to the synchronized international football calendar. While t