Power Dynamos 0-1 ZESCO United Ndola: Friendly derby defeat gives Power Dynamos plenty to work on

Power Dynamos fell to a narrow 0-1 defeat against familiar rivals ZESCO United Ndola in an international club friendly played on 21 August 2026. While the result carries no competitive weight, the match offered both Zambian clubs valuable minutes on the pitch and a chance to test new combinations ahead of the upcoming season. For Power Dynamos, it was a frustrating night in front of their own supporters, with ZESCO United claiming bragging rights in this tightly contested pre-season fixture.

Friendly with a competitive edge

Despite being labelled as a friendly, the match had the intensity of a local derby from the first whistle. Both sides are used to battling in the upper echelons of Zambian football, and a large crowd turned out to see the two traditional powerhouses go head-to-head. The opening stages were physical and fast-paced, with midfield duels taking centre stage. Chances were limited in the first half as both defences stood firm, but the intensity never dropped.

ZESCO United, playing away, gradually gained control of the match through patient build-up play. They created the more dangerous openings and looked particularly sharp in wide areas. Power Dynamos, for their part, had their moments on the counter-attack but were unable to test the ZESCO goalkeeper consistently.

One moment decides it

The decisive moment came after the interval, when ZESCO United found the back of the net to break the deadlock. A well-organised attacking move left the Power Dynamos defence scrambling, and the visitors made no mistake with the finish. The goal gave ZESCO something to hold onto, and they managed the game well thereafter, slowing the tempo and shutting down the spaces for Power Dynamos to exploit.

Power Dynamos pushed for an equaliser in the final stages and came close on a couple of occasions, but a combination of solid goalkeeping and wayward finishing meant the hosts could not find a way back into the game. At full-time, ZESCO United goalkeeper and defenders celebrated a hard-earned clean sheet in what was ultimately a useful test for both squads.

Pre-season progress for both clubs

For Power Dynamos, the defeat is a reminder of the areas that still need fine-tuning before competitive action resumes. Creating clearer opportunities and improving the final pass will be high on the coaching staff’s list of priorities. The match also gave the manager a chance to rotate the squad and give extended game time to several fringe players and new signings.

ZESCO United, meanwhile, will be pleased with the resilience and organisation they showed. A clean sheet away from home against a strong rival is always a positive sign, regardless of the friendly status. This 1-0 victory offers early confidence, and the players will look to carry that momentum into their next preparation fixtures.

While the scoreline will not appear in any league table, the bragging rights in Ndola football circles belong to ZESCO United for now. Both clubs will now switch their focus to completing their pre-season programmes and fine-tuning their squads ahead of the challenges that lie ahead.