Sixty seconds to shake the champions: Blades beat Power with a first-minute goal and a cruel late own goal — and the Transition League has its storyline

The Transition League took one minute to find its voice. Clive Biyeta scored the season's opening goal almost before the champions had touched the ball, and Konkola Blades — home side, underdogs, and by the final whistle the story of matchday one — beat Power Dynamos 2-1 in Chililabombwe on Saturday. The champions equalised in the 82nd minute through Amine Hiver and looked to have rescued a point; three minutes later, under Blades pressure from a corner, defender Wilson Chisala turned the ball into his own net. The short season had its first shock before its first sunset.

Power coach Oswald Mutapa declined the luxury of brooding. "It's a disappointing loss of course but we have to dust the defeat and move on," he said. "I feel we created many chances but failed to convert them. We have to start planning for Nchanga Rangers at home now." His counterpart Beston Chambeshi, whose sides have made a career of inconveniencing giants, framed the win in the transitional format's own terms: "We know they are the champions but we told the boys we have to be on our toes… this is a short season so we have to get the points early."

The rest of Stream A's opening day belonged to the visitors. Zanaco walked off Nchanga Stadium with a 1-0 win over Nchanga Rangers, Simon Tonga stunning the home crowd in the fourth minute — "it's not easy to come to Nchanga Stadium and get a win," said Zanaco assistant coach Noel Mwandila. Nkana began their campaign with a 1-0 win at promoted Trident, veteran Charles Zulu delivering the goal in the 19th minute and coach Elijah Tana "so excited to start the season with a win". NAPSA Stars and FC MUZA shared a 1-1 draw. In a league split into two streams and played at sprint pace, the champions' opening defeat is not fatal — but it is expensive. Power host Nchanga Rangers next; Blades, top of the early table, have already made their point.

Sources: Times of Zambia, "Power Cuts! Blades, Nkana, Zanaco win" (4 Oct 2026); Lusaka Times, "Power stunned in opener as Nkana wins" (4 Oct 2026); MTN Zambia/ZPL matchday-one summaries (4 Oct 2026).