The ZPL Men’s National League heads into Matchweek 25 with the title race delicately poised and all eyes firmly fixed on Sunday’s heavyweight encounter at Reiz Arena.
Log leaders welcome second-placed in what many are billing as the match of the season so far.
Separated by just three points — Makeni on 48 and Chirundu on 45 — the stakes could not be higher. With only a handful of games remaining after this round, the outcome in Lusaka could either solidify Makeni’s grip on top spot or throw the title race wide open.
⚽ Match of the Weekend
Makeni All Stars vs Chirundu United
Sunday, 1 March 2026 | 15:00 | Reiz Arena, Lusaka
Makeni arrive under pressure. The league leaders are coming off a 1-0 defeat to Indeni and have managed just one win in their last five matches — a dip in form at the worst possible time of the season.
For a side that has set the pace for much of the campaign, questions are beginning to surface about their ability to hold their nerve. Their attacking edge has blunted in recent weeks, and defensive lapses have proven costly.
Chirundu, in contrast, travel to Lusaka unbeaten in five and brimming with belief. They have already beaten Makeni in the reverse fixture and know that another victory — depending on goal difference — could see them leapfrog their rivals at the summit.
Momentum appears to favour the visitors. Confidence, too. But Makeni will draw strength from home support and the knowledge that destiny remains in their own hands.
Expect intensity, tactical caution, and moments of individual brilliance to decide what could be a defining chapter in the 2025/26 season.
Saturday Fixtures (All kick off 15:00)
vs
Reiz Arena, Lusaka
Eighth hosts seventh in a tightly packed mid-table battle. Lumwana sit on 39 points, one ahead of Aguila, and arrive with three wins in their last five matches. Aguila are unbeaten in five (two wins, three draws) and will look to use home advantage to climb further into promotion contention.
vs
Nkoloma Stadium, Lusaka
Atletico are unbeaten in five, though only two of those have been victories — a run built more on resilience than ruthlessness. Chambishi, meanwhile, have lost just once in five and will relish the opportunity to test Atletico’s consistency. Edmond Lungu Banda and Raymond Mwiinga are expected to spearhead the hosts’ attacking threat.
vs
Dola Hill Stadium, Ndola
Fifth meets 17th in a clash with implications at both ends of the table. Rangers, unbeaten in four, remain firmly in the promotion hunt and will look to league-leading scorer Nicholas Chipoya to unlock a River Plate side winless in four and hovering dangerously close to relegation.
vs
Crocs Swamp, Lusaka
Both teams arrive out of form, winless in their last five outings. Sixth-placed Celtic (40 points) have stalled after a strong campaign, while Jumulo (14th, 22 points) are desperate for breathing space above the drop zone. The reverse fixture ended goalless — another tight encounter is expected.
vs
Garden Park, Kitwe
A relegation six-pointer sees 15th host 16th, separated by just a point. Kitwe have not won in five, while Locus have managed one victory in the same period. With survival at stake, tension may outweigh fluency. The hosts edged the reverse fixture 2-1.
vs
Sentinel Ground, Kalumbila
Third-placed Trident (44 points) are unbeaten in five, winning three, and remain within touching distance of the summit. They face a Ndola United side without a win in five and sitting 12th. Anything less than three points for Trident would be considered a missed opportunity in the promotion race.
vs
Kafubu Stadium, Luanshya
Fourth-placed Roan (43 points) have stumbled recently, winless in four, just as the promotion race intensifies. Indeni, ninth on 31 points, come in buoyed by a statement win over Makeni. Having also claimed a 2-0 victory in the reverse fixture, they will be confident of unsettling Roan again.
The Bigger Picture
With just three points separating first from second and only five between first and third, the promotion race remains wide open.
Sunday’s showdown between Makeni and Chirundu could either reinforce the status quo or ignite a dramatic final stretch. In a league where margins are razor-thin, Matchweek 25 may well prove decisive.
