The ZPL Women’s Super League Transitional Season has burst into life, with the opening week producing 18 goals across five matches as teams in both the Northern and Southern Zones began their campaigns with entertaining encounters, convincing victories and dramatic comebacks.
The biggest statement of the opening round came from Konkola Blades Queens, who produced an emphatic 5-1 victory over Amazing Grace in the Northern Zone. Despite conceding after taking an early lead, Konkola Blades recovered strongly in the second half to record the biggest win of the opening week.
Blessings Ngonga gave Konkola Blades the perfect start when she found the back of the net in the third minute, putting her side in front almost immediately. Amazing Grace, however, responded and levelled the contest through Ruth Muwowo, who scored in the 21st minute.
The two sides went into the break level, but Konkola Blades returned for the second half with renewed purpose and eventually took complete control of the contest. Nowela Mwanza restored their advantage in the 71st minute before adding another goal just three minutes later to give Konkola a 3-1 lead.
Ngonga then completed her brace in the 78th minute, further extending Konkola’s advantage, before Mwanza capped a superb individual performance by completing her hat-trick in the 90th minute.
The 5-1 victory sent an early message from Konkola Blades Queens, who demonstrated both attacking quality and the ability to respond after being pegged back by their opponents. Mwanza’s three-goal performance was particularly significant, while Ngonga also finished the match with two goals.
Trident Queens also opened their Northern Zone campaign with three points after edging Nchanga Rangers Queens 2-1 in another competitive encounter.
Trident took the lead in the 21st minute through Elizabeth Chishimba, giving the Queens an advantage that they carried into half-time. Nchanga Rangers, however, responded shortly after the restart when Christine Kabandama equalised in the 49th minute.
The game remained finely balanced, but Trident Queens eventually regained their lead through Ruth Chinyama, who scored in the 55th minute to make it 2-1. Nchanga Rangers were unable to find another equaliser, allowing Trident to secure their first three points of the transitional campaign.
Elsewhere in the Northern Zone, Indeni Roses also made a winning start after defeating Kamfinsa Blue Eagles 2-0.
The match remained goalless for much of the opening period before Gift Mulenga broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time. Mulenga then completed her brace in the 78th minute to seal a comfortable victory for Indeni Roses.
The Southern Zone also produced its share of close contests, with ZANACO Ladies beginning their transitional campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Red Arrows.
The only goal of the match arrived as early as the sixth minute when Tisilile Lungu found the back of the net. The early strike proved decisive, with ZANACO Ladies holding onto their advantage to collect maximum points from their opening fixture.
The other Southern Zone encounter saw Green Eagles come from behind to defeat Amezam Tamanga 2-1 in a match that demonstrated the competitive nature of the opening round.
Amezam Tamanga made the breakthrough in the 20th minute when Hope Lungu put her side in front. Green Eagles responded before the break, with Rachel Moono scoring in the first minute of stoppage time to send the teams into half-time level at 1-1.
Green Eagles then completed the turnaround in the second half when Cindy Banda scored in the 78th minute to put her side 2-1 ahead. Amezam Tamanga could not find another equaliser, allowing Green Eagles to begin their campaign with a comeback victory.
Across the five matches, the opening week delivered a combination of high-scoring performances and tightly contested fixtures. Konkola Blades Queens provided the biggest attacking display with five goals, while Trident Queens, Indeni Roses, ZANACO Ladies and Green Eagles all began their respective campaigns with victories.
The individual performances also stood out, with Konkola’s Mwanza leading the way after her hat-trick against Amazing Grace. Ngonga’s brace also played a major role in the Northern Zone side’s impressive victory, while Indeni’s Mulenga contributed both goals in her team’s 2-0 win.
The opening results have provided an early indication of the competitiveness expected during the ZPL Women’s Super League Transitional Season. With teams divided into the Northern and Southern Zones, every result could prove important as clubs attempt to establish themselves early in the campaign.
For Konkola Blades Queens, the 5-1 victory gives them an emphatic start, while Trident Queens and Indeni Roses have also opened their Northern Zone campaigns with victories. In the Southern Zone, ZANACO Ladies and Green Eagles have similarly collected maximum points from their opening fixtures.
However, with the transitional campaign still in its early stages, the opening weekend is only the beginning. Teams that suffered defeats will have an opportunity to respond in the next round, while the early winners will look to maintain their momentum.
The combination of goals, comebacks and individual performances has provided an entertaining opening to the women’s transitional season, setting the stage for what promises to be a competitive campaign across both zones.
ZPL Women’s Super League Transitional Season – Opening Week Results
Northern Zone
Konkola Blades Queens 5-1 Amazing Grace
Blessings Ngonga 3′, 78′; Nowela Mwanza 71′, 74′, 90′ | Ruth Muwowo 21′
Trident Queens 2-1 Nchanga Rangers Queens
Elizabeth Chishimba 21′; Ruth Chinyama 55′ | Christine Kabandama 49′
Indeni Roses 2-0 Kamfinsa Blue Eagles
Gift Mulenga 45+2′, 78′
Southern Zone
ZANACO Ladies 1-0 Red Arrows
Tisilile Lungu 6′
Green Eagles 2-1 Amezam Tamanga
Rachel Moono 45+1′; Cindy Banda 78′ | Hope Lungu 20′
