The 2025/26 ZPL National League enters a decisive phase this weekend with Week 30 fixtures set to shape both the promotion race and relegation battle.
With just a handful of matches left, leaders Makeni All Stars (56 points) hold a slender one-point advantage over Roan United (55), while Trident FC (54) and Chirundu United (53) remain firmly in contention in what has become a tightly contested four-horse race.
Title race pressure mounts
Table-toppers Makeni All Stars face a tricky away assignment against River Plate (17th) at Independence Stadium. While Makeni will be favourites on paper, River Plate are fighting for survival and could prove stubborn opponents.
Second-placed Roan United will be away to Jumulo FC (10th) in Luanshya, aiming to bounce back and keep pace at the summit. Roan boast one of the best defensive records in the league and will look to grind out another vital result.
Third-placed Trident FC welcome Kitwe United (12th) to Sentinel Ground in Kalumbila. With momentum on their side, Trident know a win could see them leapfrog into the top two depending on other results.
Meanwhile, Chirundu United (4th) travel to face Ndola United (16th), who are battling relegation. Chirundu’s consistency this season makes them strong favourites, but Ndola’s desperation for points could make this a tense encounter.
Forest, Aguila eye late push
Fifth-placed Forest Rangers (50 points) host Atletico Lusaka (9th) in Ndola, looking to close the gap on the top four. Forest have been solid all season and remain outside contenders for promotion.
Aguila Stars (6th, 48 points) travel to Chipata to face Chipata City Council (13th). Aguila, one of the league’s most attacking sides, will be confident of picking maximum points against a side hovering just above the drop zone.
Chipata City Council have only one win in their last five games, a walk over against Mpulungu Harbour while Aguila Stars have won all their last three games and beat Chipata City Council 3-0 in the reverse fixture.
Seventh-placed Lumwana Radiants (48 points) take on Chambishi FC (15th) away from home. Chambishi are deep in relegation trouble and will need a big performance to halt Lumwana’s ambitions.
Chambishi have lost all their last five games while Lumwana have three wins in their last five games but have suffered back to back defeats.
In the last three meetings, Lumwana has won two and drawn one.
Mid-table battles
Kafue Celtic (8th), although not in action this weekend, remain level on points with Aguila and Lumwana, keeping the race for a strong finish competitive.
Atletico Lusaka (9th) and Jumulo FC (10th) face tough tests against Forest Rangers and Roan United respectively, with both sides looking to secure top-half finishes.
Atletico Lusaka have beaten Forest Rangers twice in their last three meetings. With both teams struggling for consistency a win will be a welcome move.
Roan United have a chance to go top but face a Jumulo side that has not lost any of their last five games.
Indeni FC (11th) will battle Locus FC (14th) in Lusaka, a fixture that could swing either way as both sides aim to finish the season strongly.
Locus are coming off a huge 2-1 shock win over Lumwana Radiants as they look to survive relegation. Indeni on the other hand are winless in their last five games. Indeni beat Locus 1-0 in the reverse fixture.
Relegation dogfight intensifies
At the bottom, Mpulungu Harbour (18th, 14 points) remain rooted and are staring at relegation unless results drastically improve.
River Plate (17th, 23 points), Ndola United (16th, 27 points) and Chambishi FC (15th, 27 points) are all under pressure, with every point now crucial in the fight to avoid the drop.
