Zambian football club Nkana FC has been fined K100,000 by the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) Disciplinary Committee. The fine was imposed after supporters reportedly engaged in political chanting during an MTN Super League encounter against Makeni All Stars on October 10, 2026, at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe. The committee found Nkana responsible for the conduct of its supporters.
The FAZ Disciplinary Committee's ruling, issued on October 30, also ordered Nkana to play its next five home matches behind closed doors at a neutral venue located at least 300 kilometres from Nkana Stadium. However, the disciplinary body partially suspended the stadium restriction after considering the club's expression of regret and commitments to prevent similar incidents.
Nkana acknowledged the incident and issued an apology, welcoming the partial suspension as an opportunity to strengthen crowd management and restore discipline among its supporters. The club also raised concerns about the potentially devastating financial and sporting consequences of the original punishment.
The club noted that staging home fixtures hundreds of kilometres from Kitwe without spectators would impose substantial travel costs, disrupt preparations and deprive the team of its traditional home advantage. In response, Nkana appealed to its passionate supporters, popularly known as the Kalampa faithful, to refrain from political chanting and other conduct that could expose the club to further disciplinary action.
The Kitwe-based outfit pledged to work closely with football authorities to strengthen match-day security, promote responsible supporter behaviour and ensure compliance with league regulations. The ruling serves as a warning to football clubs across Zambia about their responsibility for supporter conduct and the consequences of allowing political activities to spill onto the terraces.
For Nkana, one of Zambia's most celebrated football institutions, the immediate challenge is to restore discipline among its supporters while protecting the club from further sanctions that could undermine its sporting ambitions and financial stability. The club will need to balance its efforts to promote a positive supporter culture with the need to comply with FAZ regulations.
The FAZ Disciplinary Committee's decision highlights the importance of maintaining a neutral and apolitical environment in Zambian football. The committee's actions demonstrate its commitment to upholding the integrity of the sport and ensuring that clubs are held accountable for their supporters' actions.
Key points
- Nkana FC has been fined K100,000 and partially suspended from playing home matches at Nkana Stadium.
- The FAZ Disciplinary Committee's ruling aims to promote responsible supporter behaviour and prevent similar incidents in the future.
- The incident serves as a warning to football clubs across Zambia about their responsibility for supporter conduct.
