NKANA FC FALL TO TP MAZEMBE IN CLOSED-DOOR FRIENDLY

Nkana FC were beaten 3-1 by DR Congo champions TP Mazembe in a closed-door pre-season friendly on Tuesday afternoon. Kalampa started on the front foot with Lazarous Kambole threatening early, but Mazembe struck late in the first half through Dante Joël Molindo Mbala to take a 1-0 lead into the break.

The Congolese side came out firing and quickly killed the contest. Bingi Belo scored within a minute of the restart and Gideon Mwanza added a third in the 53rd minute to put Mazembe 3-0 up. Nkana pulled one back 21 minutes from time when Charles Zulu converted a penalty, but the hosts could not mount a full comeback.

Coach Elijah Tana used the match to test his squad ahead of the 2026 MTN Super League Transition Season, making several changes including Hector Sakala and Osward Nkandu coming on in the 54th minute and William Mtonga replacing Kelvin Malunga late on. Kambole went closest to a second for Nkana with a 78th minute effort that was denied by Mazembe keeper Aliou Faty.