The ZPL Men’s National League enters a decisive phase this weekend as Week 22 fixtures roll out with season-defining consequences at both ends of the table. With just a handful of matches remaining, the margin for error has all but disappeared for promotion contenders and relegation battlers alike.
Makeni All Stars remain in control at the summit with 44 points, but the chasing pack—Roan United, Kafue Celtic and Trident FC—are poised to punish any slip. Meanwhile, the relegation fight involving Jumulo, Locus FC, River Plate and Mpulungu Harbour grows more intense with every passing round.
Aquila Stars vs Makeni All Stars
Makeni All Stars make the trip to Reiz Arena knowing this fixture could significantly shape their promotion charge. Sitting top of the table with 44 points from 21 matches, Makeni have built their campaign on consistency and discipline, but an away test against a stubborn Aguila Stars side presents a different challenge altogether.
Aquila Stars are currently seventh with 30 points and remain one of the league’s most difficult teams to beat at home. While promotion may look a tall order, Aguila have shown they can disrupt top sides, as evidenced by the goalless draw between these two teams earlier in the season. That result highlighted Aguila’s defensive organisation and ability to frustrate more fancied opponents.
For Makeni, victory would tighten their grip on top spot and pile pressure on Roan United and Kafue Celtic. Anything less could reopen the title race. Aguila, meanwhile, know that a win would elevate their status as genuine spoilers while keeping faint promotion hopes alive.
Chambishi FC vs Forest Rangers
At Chambishi Stadium, Forest Rangers continue their push toward the promotion places when they face a Chambishi side fighting for stability. Forest Rangers sit sixth with 35 points, just two points outside the top four, and arrive knowing this is a fixture they must capitalise on.
Chambishi FC, currently 10th on 23 points, are not yet clear of relegation concerns and still require results to secure safety. Their season has been marked by inconsistency, particularly against top-half opposition, and they will need a disciplined performance to contain Rangers’ attacking threat.
For Forest Rangers, three points would keep them firmly in the promotion conversation and potentially lift them above rivals depending on other results. Dropped points, however, could see the gap to the top four widen at a crucial stage of the season.
Indeni FC vs Atletico Lusaka
Indeni FC host Atletico Lusaka in a mid-table encounter with subtle but significant implications. Indeni sit ninth with 27 points, placing them relatively comfortably, but a win here would virtually secure their National League status.
Atletico Lusaka, meanwhile, are 11th on 22 points and still looking over their shoulder. While not in immediate relegation danger, defeat could drag them back into the survival conversation, especially with teams below them beginning to pick up points.
Both sides will approach this fixture cautiously, aware that a draw maintains the status quo, but victory could decisively tilt the balance toward safety and momentum heading into the final stretch.
Jumulo FC vs River Plate
Few fixtures this weekend carry more weight than Jumulo vs River Plate at Baluba Stadium. Jumulo sit 15th with 19 points, just above the relegation zone, while River Plate are 17th with 16 points, firmly entrenched in danger.
For Jumulo, this is a must-win encounter. Victory would create breathing space and ease pressure ahead of tougher fixtures. Defeat, however, would plunge them deeper into the relegation scrap and erase recent progress.
River Plate arrive knowing that only a win will truly revive their survival hopes. Anything less risks leaving them adrift with too much ground to recover in the remaining rounds.
Lumwana Radiants vs Kitwe United
Lumwana Radiants, currently eighth with 30 points, welcome Kitwe United, who are 14th on 20 points, to Lumwana Ground. Radiants have enjoyed a solid campaign and still harbour ambitions of a top-six finish.
Kitwe United, however, are fighting for survival. With just a narrow buffer above the relegation zone, every point matters. Their away form has been a concern, and they will need resilience to cope with Radiants’ physical and tactical discipline.
A home win would consolidate Lumwana’s strong position, while Kitwe United know that even a point could prove vital in the battle to stay up.
Ndola United vs Roan United
Second-placed Roan United travel to Musa Kasonka Stadium aiming to keep the pressure on league leaders Makeni All Stars. Roan sit on 38 points from 20 matches and still have a game in hand, making this fixture critical to their title ambitions.
Ndola United, currently 13th with 20 points, are not yet safe and will view this as an opportunity to cause an upset. However, Roan’s superior form and attacking depth make them favourites.
A Roan victory would keep the promotion race tight, while any dropped points could allow Makeni to stretch their lead at the summit.
Chipata City Council vs Trident FC
Trident FC, fourth with 37 points, travel east to face Chipata City Council, who are 12th on 22 points. Trident remain firmly in the promotion hunt and know that away wins are essential at this stage of the season.
Chipata City Council have struggled defensively, and Trident will look to exploit that weakness. For the hosts, points are needed to fully escape relegation concerns.
The stakes are high on both sides: promotion pressure for Trident and survival security for Chipata.
Chirundu United vs Mpulungu Harbour
At Edwin Imboela Stadium, Chirundu United host bottom-placed Mpulungu Harbour in a fixture with contrasting ambitions. Chirundu are fifth with 37 points, still very much in the promotion picture.
Mpulungu Harbour remain 18th with 14 points and are rapidly running out of time. Every fixture now carries must-win pressure.
Chirundu will see this as a golden opportunity to collect three points and potentially move into the top four, while Mpulungu face the daunting task of halting their slide against one of the league’s stronger sides.
Locus FC vs Kafue Celtic
Locus FC, sitting 16th with 17 points, face one of the toughest assignments of the weekend as they host third-placed Kafue Celtic, who are level on 38 points with Roan United.
Celtic remain firmly in the promotion race and know that victory here could see them close the gap on Makeni All Stars. Their attacking firepower and depth give them a clear edge on paper.
For Locus, this is about survival and belief. An upset could dramatically revive their campaign, but defeat would leave them dangerously close to being cut adrift.
Conclusion
As the ZPL National League enters its most decisive phase, Week 22 promises high drama and significant consequences. From Makeni All Stars’ title push to the fierce relegation battles involving Jumulo, Locus and River Plate, every fixture now carries season-defining weight.
By the end of the weekend, both the promotion race and survival picture could look very different.
