Week 23 of the 2025/26 ZPL National League arrives at a critical juncture in the campaign. With promotion aspirations intensifying at the summit and survival battles tightening at the base, the margins are shrinking across the table. Leaders Makeni All Stars sit on 45 points, five clear of second-placed Chirundu United and third-placed Trident FC (both on 40), while just six points separate 14th from 17th in a congested relegation scrap. With some teams having played 21 matches and others 22, the mathematical permutations add further intrigue to an already volatile weekend.
Below is a detailed breakdown of each fixture and what the result could mean for both sides.
Atletico Lusaka (10th, 25 pts) vs Chirundu United (2nd, 40 pts)
Nkoloma Stadium | Saturday | 15:00
Atletico Lusaka sit 10th with 25 points and a narrow +1 goal difference. They are not in immediate danger, but the table is compact enough that two poor results could drag them toward the bottom third. A win would push them closer to the top eight and potentially within six points of Aguila Stars in 8th. A draw maintains mid-table stability but does little to shift their trajectory. A defeat could see them overtaken by Chambishi or Chipata, tightening pressure below.
Chirundu United are firmly in the promotion race with 40 points from 21 matches. Victory would temporarily move them within two points of leaders Makeni All Stars and could even reduce that gap further depending on Sunday’s outcome. A draw keeps them in the automatic promotion mix but risks losing ground to Trident or Roan. A loss would stall their momentum and could drop them out of the top two.
Kafue Celtic (5th, 39 pts) vs Chambishi (11th, 23 pts)
Crocs Swamp Ground | Saturday | 15:00
Kafue Celtic are level on 39 points with Roan United and just one behind Trident. A win could lift them into the top three, depending on results elsewhere. A draw keeps them competitive but may cost them ground in a tightly packed promotion race. A defeat risks sliding out of the top six altogether.
Chambishi, on 23 points, sit six above the relegation zone. A win would likely elevate them into 9th and create a healthy buffer from danger. A draw maintains distance but keeps them within reach of the bottom cluster. A loss compresses the survival margin, especially if teams below them collect points.
Kitwe United (15th, 20 pts) vs Indeni (9th, 27 pts)
Garden Park Stadium | Saturday | 15:00
Kitwe United are hovering just above the drop zone with 20 points and a -13 goal difference. Victory could lift them as high as 12th, significantly easing pressure. A draw offers slight relief but may not prevent them from slipping into the bottom three if results go against them. A loss could see them overtaken by Locus or River Plate.
Indeni FC sit mid-table with 27 points. A win moves them closer to the top eight and restores upward momentum. A draw keeps them stable but limits ambition. A loss risks dragging them into the relegation conversation given the narrow point gaps.
Mpulungu Harbour (18th, 14 pts) vs Locus FC (16th, 18 pts)
Muzabwera Ground | Saturday | 15:00
Bottom-placed Mpulungu Harbour have 14 points from 18 matches and must treat this as a survival decider. A win cuts the gap to Locus to one point and reignites hope. A draw offers minimal benefit given their position. A defeat would leave them isolated at the bottom.
Locus FC, on 18 points, sit just above the relegation line. A win creates a seven-point gap over Mpulungu and potentially lifts them to 14th. A draw keeps distance intact. A loss would dangerously tighten the bottom four.
Roan United (4th, 39 pts) vs Aguila Stars (8th, 31 pts)
Kafubu Stadium | Saturday | 15:00
Roan United remain firmly in the promotion conversation. Victory could propel them into the top three and maintain pressure on Makeni. A draw keeps them competitive but may cost position. A defeat could see them fall to sixth.
Aguila Stars have 31 points and an outside chance at closing the gap on the top six. A win narrows that deficit to five points. A draw maintains mid-table footing. A loss likely ends realistic promotion ambitions.
Trident FC (3rd, 40 pts) vs Jumulo (14th, 20 pts)
Sentinel Ground | Saturday | 15:00
Trident are level with Chirundu on 40 points. A win could move them into automatic promotion positions. A draw keeps them within reach but risks losing ground. A defeat would be costly in a race where margins are slim.
Jumulo FC sit 14th with 20 points. A win could lift them up to 12th and create breathing space. A draw provides limited benefit. A loss risks dropping them into the relegation zone.
River Plate (17th, 17 pts) vs Ndola United (13th, 21 pts)
Lusaka Independence Stadium | Sunday | 15:00
River Plate are in 17th and urgently need points. Victory could move them out of the bottom three. A draw maintains survival hopes but keeps them under pressure. A loss deepens relegation danger.
Ndola United are only four points above River Plate. A win strengthens their cushion. A draw keeps the gap manageable. A loss drags them directly into the survival fight.
Makeni All Stars (1st, 45 pts) vs Lumwana Radiants (7th, 33 pts)
REIZ Arena | Sunday | 15:00
Leaders Makeni All Stars hold a five-point advantage. A win stretches that lead and strengthens their promotion bid. A draw maintains control but reduces the margin for error. A loss reopens the race significantly.
Lumwana Radiants, on 33 points, still hold faint top-six ambitions. A win moves them closer to the playoff cluster. A draw keeps mid-table balance. A loss limits upward movement.
Forest Rangers (6th, 38 pts) vs Chipata City Council (12th, 22 pts)
Dola Hill Ground | Sunday | 15:00
Forest Rangers are just one point off fourth place. A win could elevate them into promotion contention. A draw keeps them competitive. A loss would stall their upward push.
Chipata City Council have 22 points and remain within reach of the drop zone. A win builds security. A draw keeps a small cushion intact. A loss narrows their safety margin significantly.
Week 23 Outlook:
Week 23 presents pivotal inflection points at both ends of the table. For Makeni, Chirundu, Trident, Roan and Kafue Celtic, promotion remains a finely balanced contest where a single slip could alter trajectories. Meanwhile, from Kitwe United down to Mpulungu Harbour, every fixture carries survival implications with little margin for error.
With uneven matches played and goal difference separating several teams, this weekend has the potential to materially reshape the National League standings — tightening the promotion race and intensifying the relegation battle as the season enters its decisive phase.
