MTN Super League Week 26: High-Stakes Showdowns and a Potential Title Decider
As the MTN Super League enters Week 26, every match carries enormous weight for teams chasing the title, those battling for continental spots, and the clubs fighting to avoid relegation. With ZESCO United holding a slender lead at the top, Power Dynamos and Kabwe Warriors in hot pursuit, and a tense struggle at the bottom, this round of fixtures could reshape the table. Below is a detailed look at each of the nine Week 26 matches, examining the league positions, points, and what a win, draw, or loss would mean for each side.
1. Atletico Lusaka (14th, 28 pts) vs. FC MUZA (9th, 32 pts)
Atletico Lusaka find themselves in 14th place with 28 points, just one point above the relegation zone. A victory here would push them to 31 points, creating some breathing space from teams below like Lumwana Radiants (27 pts) and Forest Rangers (26 pts). A draw (29 pts) might not be enough to ease their relegation worries, while a defeat (remaining at 28) could see them slip further into danger.
FC MUZA, currently 9th with 32 points, occupy a mid-table spot. Though not in immediate danger, a win (35 pts) could edge them closer to the upper half and potentially allow them to challenge for a top-eight finish. A draw (33 pts) would maintain their mid-table standing, but a loss would see them risk losing ground to teams like Green Eagles (31 pts) or Napsa Stars (30 pts).
2. Green Eagles (10th, 31 pts) vs. Nchanga Rangers (13th, 28 pts)
Green Eagles, winless in their last few outings, sit 10th with 31 points. A victory (34 pts) would help them regain momentum and move closer to FC MUZA (32 pts) or Mufulira Wanderers (36 pts) in the mid-table battle. A draw (32 pts) keeps them afloat but offers little forward progress, and a loss (31 pts) would intensify questions around their form.
Nchanga Rangers come into this match high on confidence after beating Nkana last weekend. Now at 13th with 28 points, they’re looking to string together results to escape the relegation scrap. A win (31 pts) would pull them level with Green Eagles, while a draw (29 pts) might keep them just above the danger zone. A defeat (28 pts), however, leaves them vulnerable to teams below like Lumwana Radiants (27 pts) and Forest Rangers (26 pts).
3. Kabwe Warriors (3rd, 44 pts) vs. Power Dynamos (2nd, 45 pts)
Widely regarded as the potential title-deciding match, Kabwe Warriors host Power Dynamos in a showdown that could reshape the top of the table.
Kabwe Warriors currently have 44 points, just one behind Power Dynamos and three off ZESCO United’s 47. After failing to capitalize on ZESCO’s recent slip, they need a statement win (47 pts) to keep their title hopes alive. A draw (45 pts) or loss (44 pts) would raise doubts about whether they can truly challenge for the championship.
Power Dynamos, with 45 points, are only two points off the summit. A win (48 pts) might catapult them to first place if ZESCO falter. Even a draw (46 pts) keeps them firmly in contention, while a defeat (45 pts) could allow ZESCO to extend their lead and give Kabwe Warriors the edge in the title race. This match is set to be the highlight of Week 26, with both sides eager to claim a crucial advantage.
4. Lumwana Radiants (15th, 27 pts) vs. Green Buffaloes (7th, 36 pts)
Lumwana Radiants, sitting just one point above the relegation zone in 15th place with 27 points, are desperate for points to avoid a drop into the bottom three. A win (30 pts) would offer them a valuable cushion, potentially leapfrogging Atletico Lusaka (28 pts) or Nchanga Rangers (28 pts). A draw (28 pts) or loss (27 pts) might see them slip into relegation territory, depending on other results.
Green Buffaloes sit in 7th place with 36 points. A victory (39 pts) could push them closer to Nkwazi (40 pts) or Nkana (40 pts), keeping alive their faint hopes of a top-four finish. A draw (37 pts) keeps them stable in mid-table, while a loss (36 pts) would be a missed opportunity to climb the standings, especially after their morale-boosting win over Kabwe Warriors.
5. Mutondo Stars (12th, 29 pts) vs. Zanaco (17th, 26 pts)
Mutondo Stars, currently 12th with 29 points, remain precariously close to the relegation zone. A victory (32 pts) would grant them a buffer from the bottom sides and possibly allow them to catch up to mid-table teams like Green Eagles (31 pts) or FC MUZA (32 pts). A draw (30 pts) keeps them afloat, but a loss (29 pts) would invite teams below to close in.
Zanaco, sitting 17th with 26 points, are in dire need of a positive result to escape the bottom three. A win (29 pts) might see them leapfrog Forest Rangers (26 pts) or even Lumwana Radiants (27 pts) if other results go their way. A draw (27 pts) offers a minor improvement, but a defeat (26 pts) would likely keep them stuck in the relegation zone, with time running out.
6. NAPSA Stars (11th, 30 pts) vs. Indeni (18th, 11 pts)
NAPSA Stars, at 11th with 30 points, need to pick up points to move closer to mid-table security. A win (33 pts) could bring them level with or surpass Green Eagles (31 pts) or Mutondo Stars (29 pts). A draw (31 pts) keeps them treading water, while a loss (30 pts) would be a major setback, especially against bottom-placed Indeni.
Indeni, rooted to the foot of the table with 11 points, have only managed two wins all season. Any victory (14 pts) is crucial if they’re to keep faint survival hopes alive. A draw (12 pts) or loss (11 pts) would further confirm the likelihood of relegation, given the 15-point gap to safety.
7. Nkana (5th, 40 pts) vs. Mufulira Wanderers (8th, 36 pts)
Nkana, in 5th place with 40 points, missed a golden chance to climb the standings after a shock defeat to Nchanga Rangers. They need a strong response here. A win (43 pts) could see them challenge Red Arrows (42 pts) for 4th place and keep an outside shot at the top three. A draw (41 pts) or loss (40 pts) risks letting Nkwazi (40 pts) or Green Buffaloes (36 pts) close in.
Mufulira Wanderers, on 36 points in 8th place, have been inconsistent. Three points (39) would push them within striking distance of Nkana themselves, fueling their ambition for a higher finish. A draw (37) or defeat (36) would keep them in mid-table, missing an opportunity to overtake potential rivals.
8. Nkwazi (6th, 40 pts) vs. Red Arrows (4th, 42 pts)
This top-half clash sees Nkwazi (40 pts) host Red Arrows (42 pts). Both sides are eyeing a strong finish, with Red Arrows pushing for a top-three place and Nkwazi hoping to leapfrog them.
Nkwazi: Victory (43 pts) would not only overtake Red Arrows but also put them in contention for 4th place or even push closer to Nkana (40 pts). A draw (41) keeps them slightly behind Arrows, while a loss (40) ends any immediate hopes of climbing.
Red Arrows: Currently 4th with 42 points, they’re in the mix for a CAF slot. A win (45 pts) might see them challenge Kabwe Warriors (44 pts) or Power Dynamos (45 pts). A draw (43 pts) or loss (42) would see them lose ground in a crowded top half.
9. ZESCO United (1st, 47 pts) vs. Forest Rangers (16th, 26 pts)
ZESCO United, league leaders with 47 points, face a Forest Rangers side clinging to safety in 16th place with 26 points. ZESCO’s narrow lead means they cannot afford any slip-ups, especially with Power Dynamos and Kabwe Warriors hot on their heels.
ZESCO United: A win (50 pts) would keep them on course for the title, preserving or extending their advantage at the top. A draw (48 pts) or loss (47 pts) could see them overtaken if Dynamos or Warriors secure maximum points.
Forest Rangers: Currently just one point above Zanaco (26 pts, but a worse goal difference), a victory (29 pts) would offer much-needed breathing room. A draw (27) or defeat (26) leaves them in danger, with Zanaco, Lumwana Radiants, and others vying to escape the bottom.
Conclusion
Week 26 promises to be a defining round in the MTN Super League. The marquee fixture—Kabwe Warriors vs. Power Dynamos—could reshape the title race, while ZESCO United, perched at the summit, must fend off challenges from both. In the mid-table, teams like Nkwazi, Red Arrows, Nkana, and Mufulira Wanderers all look to gain ground, while clubs at the bottom, including Zanaco, Forest Rangers, and Indeni, are fighting for survival. Every goal and every point will carry tremendous weight as the season nears its final act.
