By Bola Yapa Zed Sports Desk | 7th December 2025

ZPL National League Week 17: Key Results, Shifting Momentum and Table Implications

Week 17 of the ZPL National League delivered tense battles, unexpected outcomes and major shifts in momentum as teams continued their push for promotion, survival, or stability. With the table now fully updated after the latest round of fixtures, each result carried significant weight whether at the top, middle, or bottom of the standings. Here is a full breakdown of what each match meant for every team involved.

Lumwana Radiants 2–0 Trident

Benjamin Mukanda 32′, Alex Mwitwa 45′

Lumwana Radiants produced one of the standout performances of Week 17, defeating fellow title contenders Trident 2–0 in a high-stakes clash. The win came at the perfect time for Radiants, who tightened their grip on third place with 29 points after 16 matches. With eight wins already this season, they remain firmly in the promotion conversation. The victory also showed improved efficiency in front of goal, as Mukanda and Mwitwa struck at crucial moments.

For Trident, the defeat was a major setback in their promotion chase. Coming into Week 17 in the top four, the Lubansenshi-based side needed at least a point to maintain pressure on the leading pack. Instead, the loss keeps them stuck on 29 points level with Lumwana but now behind on goal difference. It was their fifth loss of the season, raising questions about consistency in big-game situations.

From a table perspective, Lumwana’s win keeps them within touching distance of second-placed Roan United, who sit two points ahead. Trident, meanwhile, risk drifting if they fail to respond quickly. Their promotion hopes remain alive, but the margin for error is shrinking fast.

Roan United 0–1 Kafue Celtic

Lubasi Masheke 17′

Kafue Celtic claimed a huge away victory as they edged Roan United 1–0 courtesy of a composed finish from Lubasi Masheke. The win pushes Celtic to 27 points in sixth place, keeping them firmly in the race for a top four finish. It was a disciplined and mature performance from the Young Kafue side, who managed the tempo well after taking the early lead.

For Roan United, the defeat was costly at the top of the table. Starting Week 17 in second place, they missed the chance to overtake Makeni All Stars after the league leaders collected a walkover win. Roan remain on 33 points, two behind top spot, but the loss exposed their need for sharper goal-scoring when under pressure.

In the broader promotion picture, Celtic’s victory reopens the race behind the top two. With only six points separating positions three to seven, momentum will be decisive in the coming weeks — and Celtic may have rediscovered theirs.

Kitwe United 1–0 Atletico Lusaka

Saviour Mwila 27′

Kitwe United secured a much-needed 1–0 win against Atletico Lusaka, lifting themselves into 10th place with 19 points. Saviour Mwila’s 27th-minute strike proved decisive in a match where Kitwe showed improved attacking intent and defensive structure. After struggling for consistency earlier in the season, this victory offers renewed optimism as they move closer to the mid-table pack.

Atletico Lusaka, however, will be disappointed as the result leaves them in 12th with 15 points from 15 matches. Their inability to create clear chances continues to affect their season, and the loss highlights a worrying lack of cutting edge. With the teams below starting to pick up points, Atletico are now drifting towards the danger zone.

For Kitwe United, the win helps put daylight between themselves and the bottom five. If they can build on this momentum, finishing inside the top ten becomes a realistic goal as the second half of the season approaches.

Makeni All Stars 3–0 Mpulungu Harbour (Walkover)

Makeni All Stars strengthened their position at the top of the table without kicking a ball after Mpulungu Harbour failed to fulfil the fixture. The walkover victory moves Makeni to 35 points from 16 matches, extending their lead at the summit. Their promotion push remains the strongest in the division, backed by consistency and discipline across the campaign.

For Mpulungu Harbour, the situation worsens. With only 12 points from 14 matches and now on a three-match losing sequence (including this walkover), they remain in 16th place. Their survival hopes are fading unless the team stabilises quickly, both on and off the pitch.

Overall, Makeni All Stars continue to look like the team to beat. With 11 wins already this season — more than any other club — they are edging closer to cementing themselves as promotion favourites.

Indeni 1–1 Riverplate

Mofat Ngambi 89′ | Desmond Nyirenda 43′

Indeni rescued a late draw thanks to an 89th-minute equaliser from Mofat Ngambi, a goal that keeps them in 9th place with 22 points. The point ensures Indeni avoid back-to-back defeats and stay positioned within reach of the top eight. The late fightback also reflects a resilient mentality that could be key as the season toughens.

For Riverplate, the draw brings mixed emotions. Desmond Nyirenda put them ahead in the 43rd minute, and they managed the game well for long spells. However, conceding so late means they stay stuck in 14th place with 13 points, just one above the relegation zone. They will feel this was a missed opportunity for a crucial away victory.

The bigger picture shows Indeni continuing to hover in mid-table safety, while Riverplate remain under pressure. Their defensive discipline is improving, but inability to close out matches is hurting their survival campaign.

Ndola United 0–0 Chambishi

Ndola United and Chambishi settled for a goalless draw in a match where both sides showed more caution than ambition. Ndola United move to 11 points from 14 games, but remain in the relegation zone in 17th place. They will see this as a point gained defensively, but the lack of goals continues to be a major concern.

Chambishi, on the other hand, move to 12 points from 15 games and stay in 15th position. They will regret not taking maximum points against a struggling Ndola United side, as a win would have boosted their survival hopes significantly. The draw leaves them only one point above the drop zone.

For both teams, the stalemate does little to change the relegation picture. Ndola United remain in deep trouble, while Chambishi are still very much in the danger zone as pressure builds heading into Week 18.

Aguila Stars 0–0 Forest Rangers

Aguila Stars and Forest Rangers battled to a tight 0–0 draw, a result that keeps both teams steady but unsatisfied. Aguila sit in 8th place with 23 points, showing defensive improvement but lacking attacking sharpness to push into the top six. Their inability to convert chances continues to limit their rise.

Forest Rangers, now on 26 points, remain in 7th place and are still very much in the top-four conversation. However, dropping points here means they miss the chance to close the gap on Chirundu United and Kafue Celtic. With the promotion chase intensifying, these fine margins could prove costly.

Still, both teams add another point to their tally, maintaining their strong defensive records. For Aguila Stars, stability remains a positive, but for Forest Rangers, the draw feels more like a setback.

Chirundu United 0–0 Jumulo

Chirundu United and Jumulo played out another scoreless draw in a match defined by midfield battles and few clear chances. Chirundu stay in 5th place with 27 points — a solid position, but one that now puts pressure on them to find more attacking consistency. They remain four points behind the promotion places.

Jumulo, in contrast, gain a point that lifts them to 14 points in 13th place. It’s a valuable result given their struggles this season, but they continue to be dragged closer to the relegation zone. Their defensive discipline was impressive, but the lack of goal threat remains a real concern.

Overall, Chirundu will feel they dropped points at home, while Jumulo will consider this a positive result. However, both teams leave the fixture with more questions than answers, especially in the final third.

Locus FC vs Chipata City Council (Postponed)

The match between Locus FC and Chipata City Council was postponed and will be rescheduled. With Locus sitting bottom on 8 points and Chipata on 17 points, both teams will be eager to collect important points when the fixture is eventually played.