Two promotion slots to the National League went down to the wire on Saturday in a thrilling final round that delivered intense and exciting football.
Solwezi Academy joined Chipata City Council in securing promotion to the 2025/26 ZPL National League following a seven-goal thriller in the early kickoff.
Solwezi Academy edged Chipata City Council FC 4-3 in a dramatic comeback, with supersub Moffat Mwansapa netting a second-half brace within three minutes.
Despite a dominant 6-1 victory over Muchinga Blue Eagles FC,Machacha Soccer Academy (Crown FC) missed out on promotion.
In a late group B kickoff, the stylish Roan United secured the final promotion slot by defeating Teta United 3-0, leapfrogging them on goal difference.
Makeni All Stars, despite a 1-0 loss to Barts FC, had already secured promotion before kickoff and finished top of their group with nine points.
Makeni All Stars’ First Assistant Coach, Maybin Chomba Chilufya, attributed the loss to squad rotation.
“We needed to test and give an opportunity to all the players in the squad,” Chilufya said.
He added that the team’s goal is to remain in the National League and to approach every opponent with utmost respect.
Sports analyst Lucky Chama expressed optimism about the talent displayed at the just-concluded National League play-offs.
“We need to see more of these players being integrated into the national team,” Chama said.
However, he also noted that the excitement of the tournament was dampened by player registration issues.
Meanwhile, in the women’s category, Kalumbila Queens FC and Valley Queens FC, along with Pemba Queens FC and Bwacha Pirates Queens FC, secured promotion from Groups A and B respectively.