Week 10 of the ZPL National League brought tension, surprises, and critical shifts as the race for promotion intensified. The weekend featured close encounters and decisive results that shaped the top and bottom of the table. Trident and Roan United continued to assert dominance at the summit, while Ndola United and Atletico Lusaka earned vital victories in their fight to avoid relegation. Here’s a full breakdown of all the action from Matchweek 10.
Locus FC 0–1 Roan United
Roan United maintained their strong form with a crucial 1–0 win over Locus FC, courtesy of Wilfred Chitembo’s decisive strike. The victory keeps Roan level on points with Trident at the top of the table (22 points each), with only goal difference separating the two promotion hopefuls. It was a disciplined display from the visitors, who controlled the midfield and defended resolutely to secure all three points on the road.
For Locus FC, the narrow loss means they remain 13th with just eight points, a position that keeps them hovering above the drop zone. Their inability to convert home advantage into results continues to hurt their campaign, as they’ve now gone four matches without a win.
Indeni 0–2 Lumwana Radiants
Charles Lubasi and Reuben Bangala were on target as Lumwana Radiants cruised to a comfortable 2–0 away victory over Indeni FC. The result lifted Lumwana to 7th on the table with 12 points, giving them back-to-back wins and renewed confidence in their pursuit of a top-half finish.
Indeni, on the other hand, find themselves struggling in 16th position with seven points. The defeat extends their winless run to four games, leaving fans frustrated with the team’s lack of consistency both defensively and offensively.
Trident 1–0 Kafue Celtic
League leaders Trident FC edged Kafue Celtic 1–0 at Sentinel Ground, with Gradi Bakolila scoring the decisive goal. The victory ensured Trident remain joint top of the table with Roan United, both sitting on 22 points, though Trident hold the edge on goal difference (+11). Their solid defensive record continues to be their greatest strength, with just three goals conceded in nine games.
Kafue Celtic, despite showing flashes of attacking brilliance, couldn’t find a breakthrough and now sit 6th with 14 points. The loss leaves them six points adrift of the promotion zone, highlighting the gap between the chasing pack and the league leaders.
Ndola United 1–0 Forest Rangers
In one of the weekend’s biggest upsets, bottom-placed Ndola United stunned Forest Rangers with a 1–0 victory, thanks to a penalty converted by Cosmas Ntenda. The win was Ndola United’s first of the season, giving them a massive morale boost and taking their tally to six points — still in 17th but now just one point behind Indeni and Atletico Lusaka.
For Forest Rangers, this loss was a significant setback in their promotion pursuit. They remain fifth with 16 points and risk losing touch with the top two if their form doesn’t improve. The defeat also ends their impressive run of four consecutive draws, highlighting inconsistency that could cost them dearly.
Jumulo FC 0–2 Atletico Lusaka
Edward Lungu Banda and Raymond Mwinga scored as Atletico Lusaka secured a huge 2–0 away victory over Jumulo FC. The win moves Atletico to 15th on the table with seven points, pulling them level with Indeni and breathing new life into their survival hopes.
For Jumulo, it’s yet another disappointing outing. They drop to 14th with eight points, extending their winless run to five games. The lack of cutting edge in front of goal continues to haunt them, and their defensive errors are becoming costly in tight fixtures.
River Plate 0–1 Mpulungu Harbour
A solitary strike from Emmanuel Silavwe handed Mpulungu Harbour a gritty 1–0 win over River Plate in Lusaka. The result sees Mpulungu climb to 11th with 10 points and a game in hand, keeping their mid-table ambitions alive.
River Plate, meanwhile, remain rooted to the bottom of the table with just five points. It’s now three straight losses for them, and they are the only side in the league yet to win at home this season — a worrying trend that must change if they are to avoid relegation.
Chirundu United 1–0 Aguila Stars
Isaac Zulu’s clinical finish secured Chirundu United a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Aguila Stars, keeping them firmly in third place with 20 points. The result keeps them within two points of the top two, ensuring the promotion race remains tight. Chirundu’s strong defensive setup has been a key factor this season, with only three goals conceded in nine matches.
For Aguila Stars, the defeat pushes them to 9th with 11 points. While their attack has been vibrant this season, they’ve now gone three games without a win, and their inability to convert chances continues to cost them vital points.
Chipata City Council 1–1 Kitwe United
In an evenly matched encounter, Mwiza Chilembo scored for Chipata City Council before Nkole Erzon equalized for Kitwe United, as the two sides shared spoils in a 1–1 draw. The result keeps Chipata in 12th with nine points — still searching for consistency — while Kitwe United sit eighth with 12 points.
Both sides will view this as two points dropped rather than one gained, given their ambitions to climb the table. Kitwe, in particular, will rue missed chances that could have moved them into the top six.
Chambishi FC 0–0 Makeni All Stars
The much-anticipated clash between Chambishi FC and Makeni All Stars ended in a goalless stalemate. Makeni remain 4th with 17 points, while Chambishi are 10th with 10 points. Despite the draw, Makeni’s unbeaten run extends to five matches, and they remain in the promotion hunt.
For Chambishi, the result reflects their defensive improvement but highlights their struggle in the final third — they have now scored just five goals in nine games. The team’s lack of a cutting edge upfront continues to hold them back from breaking into the top half.
Conclusion
Week 10 of the ZPL National League once again showcased the unpredictability and competitiveness of Zambia’s second tier. Trident and Roan United continue to set the pace, but Chirundu United remains close behind. At the other end, Ndola United and Atletico Lusaka showed signs of life in their relegation battles, while the likes of River Plate and Indeni remain in deep trouble.
With momentum shifting weekly, the upcoming fixtures promise more twists in what is shaping up to be one of the most exciting promotion races in recent seasons.
