Leaders Makeni All Stars remain at the summit of the ZPL National League after Week 24, but their advantage has been trimmed following a narrow defeat to in-form Indeni FC.
Makeni, who began the weekend on 48 points from 24 matches, were edged 1-0 by Indeni thanks to John Musonda’s 60th-minute strike. It was only their fourth defeat of the campaign, yet it leaves the title race finely poised with just three points now separating the top three.
Second-placed Chirundu United missed the chance to close the gap further after being held to a goalless draw by Kitwe United. Chirundu move to 45 points from 24 matches, maintaining the league’s meanest defence – just 12 goals conceded – but their ninth draw of the season underlines a growing pattern of dropped points in tight contests.
Trident FC were the weekend’s biggest beneficiaries in the promotion race. Their 1-0 victory over River Plate, courtesy of an Emmanuel Mwale own goal in the 75th minute, lifted them to 44 points. With 12 wins and only four defeats, Trident sit just four points behind the leaders and look firmly in the hunt for automatic promotion.
Roan United’s push suffered a setback after a 1-0 loss to Lumwana Radiants. Agripa Namizeko’s early strike proved decisive as Lumwana climbed to seventh on 39 points, while Roan remain fourth on 43 – now five points adrift of Makeni and suddenly glancing over their shoulder at Forest Rangers.
Forest were held to a 0-0 draw by Jumulo, a result that leaves them fifth on 42 points. In a congested top half, even minor slips carry heavy consequences, and Forest’s sixth draw of the campaign may feel like a missed opportunity.
Elsewhere, Aguila Stars boosted their top-eight ambitions with a dramatic 1-0 away win over Ndola United, Samson Malaya striking in the 81st minute. Aguila rise to 38 points, just one behind Lumwana Radiants and within touching distance of the promotion-chasing pack.
In mid-table, Indeni’s victory over the leaders was significant beyond the headline result. They climb to 31 points, creating breathing space from the relegation scrap and denting Makeni’s momentum at a crucial stage of the season.
At the bottom, the pressure continues to mount. River Plate’s defeat leaves them 17th on 18 points, while Mpulungu Harbour prop up the table with 17. Chipata City Council, Locus FC and Ndola United remain perilously close to the drop zone, with only a handful of points separating 12th from 18th.
