Nkana in work permit drama ahead of showdown

Nkana’s preparations for Saturday’s big Copperbelt derby date away to Zesco United have been hit after two new signings were visited by immigration officials in Kitwe.

Zambian immigration officials raided Nkana Stadium on Wednesday afternoon to check on the validity of striker Fred Tshimanga and midfielders Diego Apanane’s work permits.

The DR Congo-born duo were barred from training on Thursday as Nkana met with immigration officials over Tshimanga and Apanane’s work permits late into the day.

“Immigration wants to find out the status of the players and we are still talking to them,” Nkana club Secretary Ken Mwansa said.

Mwansa could not comment as to whether Tshimanga and Apanane would be cleared in time to feature against Zesco.

Apanane and Tshimanga joined Nkana from Forest Rangers in July and the latter has hit the ground running with two goals in four games while the former scored his first goal last weekend in their 3-1 home win over National Assembly.

Nkana head into the away match at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola in search of their first league win over Zesco since the latter were promoted in 2004.The record 12-time champions came close to breaking that 15 league match drought against Zesco in April after a commanding performance in a 0-0 home draw in Kitwe.

Defending champions Zesco have nine wins and six draws against Nkana and head into the Copperbelt derby in first and ninth place on 40 and 25 points respectively.

Meanwhile Zanaco will try to stake a claim for first place on Saturday when they host Green Buffaloes in a Lusaka derby clash at Sunset Stadium.

Third placed Zanaco are just two points behind leaders Zesco United heading into round 20 of the 2015 Faz Super League season.

Zesco have 40 points with a game in hand while second placed Power Dynamos have 39 points and only play on Sunday at home in Kitwe against second from bottom Nakambala Leopards.

Victory for Zanaco and a loss for Zesco at home against Nkana on the same date in Ndola will see The Bankers take a one-point overnight lead on Saturday.

Zanaco head into their derby clash on the back of a three-match winning run that has seen them pick up back-to-back home wins over Forest Rangers and Nchanga Rangers prior to last weekend’s 2-0 away win over Lusaka Dynamos.

Mumamba Numba’s side also enjoy a good record over Buffaloes whom they beat 3-0 away in the first leg on April 18 at Woodlands Stadium.

Zanaco are unbeaten against sixth placed Buffaloes from their last four league encounters in which they have picked up three victories and a draw since losing 4-0 at Sunset in April, 2013.