Forest Rangers boosted their promotion push in the ZPL National League after edging Chambishi FC 1–0 away, while league leaders Makeni All Stars were held to a 1–1 draw by Aguila Stars in Matchweek 22 action played on Saturday.
The ZPL National League standings saw notable movement following Matchweek 22 action on Saturday, 7 February 2026, as leaders dropped points, promotion contenders closed the gap, and crucial victories reshaped the relegation fight.
League leaders Makeni All Stars moved to 45 points after being held to a 1-1 draw away to Aguila Stars. The hosts struck first through Samson Malaya in the 13th minute, capitalising on a bright start. Makeni responded in the second half when Elijah Hantanga found the equaliser in the 74th minute to earn a valuable away point. Aguila Stars also climbed to 31 points, strengthening their mid-table position.
Forest Rangers boosted their promotion push by moving to 38 points with a hard-earned 1-0 away victory over Chambishi FC. The decisive goal arrived late, with Saviour Kunda striking in the 83rd minute. The win keeps Forest Rangers firmly in the top-six race, while Chambishi FC remained on 23 points after suffering a narrow home defeat.
At the lower end of the table, Atletico Lusaka picked up a crucial three points to climb to 25 points following a 1-0 away win against Indeni FC. Raymond Mwiinga’s early strike in the 8th minute proved enough to separate the sides. The defeat leaves Indeni FC stuck on 27 points, missing an opportunity to pull further clear of the relegation zone.
In one of the most dramatic encounters of the round, Jumulo FC and River Plate shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw. Jumulo raced into a two-goal lead through Francis Mwale (4’) and Binotynho Musonda (17’), but River Plate fought back with goals from Patson Mphande in the 38th minute and Floyd Chileshe in the 70th. The draw moved Jumulo FC to 20 points, while River Plate edged up to 17 points, with both sides remaining in the relegation battle.
Lumwana Radiants continued their steady rise up the table, climbing to 33 points after a 2-1 home victory over Kitwe United. Kitwe took an early lead through Singwe Holly in the 15th minute, but Lumwana turned the match around in the second half courtesy of goals from Charles Lubasi (55’) and Richard Zulu (70’). Kitwe United remained on 20 points, hovering just above the drop zone.
The match between Ndola United and Roan United ended goalless, with both sides settling for a point. Roan United moved to 39 points, maintaining pressure on the top three despite playing one game fewer than most of their rivals. Ndola United edged up to 21 points, but remain dangerously close to the relegation places.
ZPL National League 2025/26 | Matchweek 22 – Full-Time Results, Saturday, 7 February 2026|
Aguila Stars 1–1 Makeni All Stars
(Samson Malaya 13’, Elijah Hantanga 74’)
Chambishi FC 0–1 Forest Rangers
(Saviour Kunda 83’)
Indeni FC 0–1 Atletico Lusaka
(Raymond Mwiinga 8’)
Jumulo FC 2–2 RiverPlate
(Francis Mwale 4’, Binotynho Musonda 17’| Patson Mphande 38’, Floyd Chileshe 70’)
Lumwana Radiants 2–1 Kitwe United(Charles Lubasi 55’, Richard Zulu 70’ | Singwe Holly 15’)
Ndola United 0–0 Roan United
