PAUL MUSA writes; 10 RESONS WHY NKANA Vs Zamalek should Go to LEVY MWANAWASA. 1.) Growing Brand Wether we like it or not, Nkana are the biggest sports brand in Zambia & therefore, the only team for whom, any venue in the nation is home ground for us. This fixture takes on NATIONAL significance. If it were a fixture targeted solely at KALAMPA fans, Nkana stadium is obvious choice. But there is interest besides & beyond the Red Army. 2.) International Broadcast Audience/Package If I was a local or international broadcaster, I would be more likely to be attracted by a fixture of this caliber being hosted at an ultra modern facility than otherwise. We still have such regrettable incidents like the abandoned Konkola vs Nkana match broadcast live on SS9 last season to scrap from our record. Any chance for redemption must be welcome. 3.) AFCON 2019 Hosting Bid At the present moment, we have to maximize on any half-chance we get as a nation to enhance our image as a prime candidate for the continental showpiece. What better prospect than the sea of RED being unleashed on the majestic Levi Arena? By the time the Egyptians, SuperSport & ZNBC leave town with their broadcast equipment, the world would get closer to a candidacy with a case well made. Come voting time, we would be boasting an addition of 2 of Africas most influential nations; Egypt & South Africa. 4.) FAMILY FRIENDLY VENUE Admittedly, we have made good strides in shaking off the notorious tag of hooliganism associated with our fans but truth be told, in the minds of many, including law enforcement officers, match officials, neutral fans and critics, we are not yet done with our image rehabilitation. Even among most of us ardent Nkana fans, very few would be brave enough to admit, we would risk taking our daughters and wives to a live game at Nkana. It will take a lot more than re-painting the perimeter walls around our stadium and dropping the tag Red Devils tag from our team name to reassure the bravest of families that our stadium is safe for all. Oh, come on guys, this fixture happens once a lifetime! Lets go big just this once. Lets have all the beautiful Zambian girls & all the Egyptian Embassy staff present at the one venue that would make this worth the memory. 5.) AIRPORT & TRANSPORT/SAFE PARKING SPACE Nkana is probably the only African team besides Al Ahly, T.P Mazembe, Orlando Pirates, Esperance, Zamalek, Kaizer Chiefs, Kotoko, Asec which commands such loyalty & devotion among its fans that someone would buy a flight ticket to go and watch them in a top billing live encounter. If you are one such a fan, the assurance that you could fly in & out conveniently before and after a game, is a deal breaker. Ndola is the only Zambian town at the moment with such a profile until Livingstone gets its new stadium & Lusaka solves its hellish traffic problem. 6.) GENERAL SECURITY How many of you non-Copperbelt born & breds would happily dare to take your iPad, galaxy tablets, your girlfriends, your foreign guests, your brand new car, your 6 & 8yr old son and daughter to a live game at Nkana stadium? Exactly! My point here is, those of us who can handle the environment at Wusakile have no more rights to claim exclusive ownership of the Nkana brand than our colleagues of different backgrounds. For so long, we have disenfranchised them in feeling they are third-class in the legitimacy of Nkana club supporters heritage. Once in a while, lets give them a token compromise to narrow the gap. YES WE CAN! 7.) PLAYING SURFACE Last I heard, the Nkana pitch surface did not fare very well with the rains. We can safely assume now its better. But how much better? 8.) PLAYER FAMILIARITY Chris Munthali, Sydney Kalume, Bruce Musakanya, Reynold Kampamba, Evans Kangwa, Rabson Muchelenganga & Masauso Mwale are the bulk of our team who have constantly been with Chipolopolo in recent times. These are all no strangers to Levy stadium. Their familiarity with the venue endears the mood well for our team. 9.) NATIONAL PRESTIGE Every British boy grows up dreaming to one day play in a soccer classic at Wembley or Rugby at Twickenham, like every Brazilian boy dreams of an appearance at Maracana. A South African kid dreams of playing at Sowetos FNB. For now, our Zambian theatre of Dreams is the Copperbelts finest structure. Levi stadium. Lets make a dream. 10.) REBUILD KITWE CAMPAIGN Since the government embarked on the commendable exercise to build modern stadia, it is sad that, our nations second largest city & home to the biggest derby in the country has been overlooked in preference for much lesser footballing towns like Mongu & Livingstone. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to argue our case & make the point for Kitwes need for our own modern structure. Dan Carlow & Mopany mines must be commended for their effort in the recent facelift of Nkana stadium but they can do better. May be our nomadic wanderings could help convince the powers that be, to build us our own sanctuary befitting the times we are living in. *I rest my case. Written by Paul Musa
Posted on: Wed, 12 Mar 2014 11:13:56 +0000
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