FC Leopards Relegated Despite Final-Day Win as ZESCO United Run Riot Against ZANACO

It was a dramatic and emotional final day of the MTN Super League season, as FC Leopards were relegated despite securing a 1–0 victory over Nkwazi FC, while ZESCO United ended their campaign in style with a dominant 6–1 win over ZANACO FC in Ndola.

Elsewhere, NAPSA Stars survived the drop with a narrow win in Lusaka, and FC MUZA sealed an impressive third-place finish after defeating Kabwe Warriors.

FC Leopards Win on Final Day — But Still Go Down

In Kabwe, FC Leopards gave themselves hope with a hard-fought 1–0 win over Nkwazi FC, thanks to Joshua Mapande’s first-half strike in the 40th minute.

The “Correct Boys” controlled much of the contest and held on for the victory, but their fate was not in their hands.

As news filtered through from Lusaka that NAPSA Stars had also picked up three points, FC Leopards were confirmed relegated on goal difference, finishing just one point behind safety with 34 points.

Their victory ultimately proved too little, too late in a heartbreaking conclusion to the season.

NAPSA Stars Survive on Final Day

At the other end of the survival battle, NAPSA Stars secured their MTN Super League status with a tense 1–0 win over Mutondo Stars in Lusaka.

Matthews Tolopa became the hero for the Pensioners, scoring the decisive goal in the 68th minute to lift his side to 35 points.

That result proved enough to keep them above FC Leopards and confirm their top-flight survival in dramatic fashion.

ZESCO United Destroy ZANACO in Ndola Thriller

At Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, ZESCO United produced one of their most explosive performances of the season, dismantling ZANACO FC 6–1 in a one-sided encounter.

Leonard Mulenga opened the scoring in the 20th minute before Derrick Obame doubled the lead 11 minutes later. Elvis Addae made it 3–0 shortly after, as ZESCO tore through ZANACO’s defence in a devastating first-half spell.

ZANACO briefly responded through Dominic Kanda in the 38th minute, but their hopes of a comeback were quickly extinguished.

ZESCO continued their dominance after the break, with Abraham Siankombo restoring the three-goal cushion in the 58th minute before late strikes from Amine Hiver and Anthony Chiyuka sealed a resounding victory.

Despite the emphatic win, ZESCO finished the season in 10th place with 47 points, while ZANACO ended seventh on 50 points after missing out on a top-three finish.

MUZA Seal Third Place in Style

FC MUZA wrapped up an impressive campaign with a 2–1 victory over Kabwe Warriors to secure third place in the standings.

Given Kalusa was the star of the show, converting a penalty in the 28th minute before adding a second just before half-time to give MUZA full control.

Kabwe Warriors pulled one back through Tryson Banda in the 72nd minute, but MUZA held firm to collect all three points and finish the season on 51 points — ahead of Kabwe Warriors on goal difference.

Final Standings Drama Concludes the Season

The final day of the season delivered high drama across the table, with relegation, survival, and top-four positions all decided in the closing moments.

While FC Leopards suffered heartbreak, NAPSA Stars celebrated survival, MUZA secured third place, and ZESCO United signed off with a statement victory.

Full-Time Results – Week 34

• NAPSA Stars 1–0 Mutondo Stars
  ⚽ Matthews Tolopa (68’)
• FC Leopards 1–0 Nkwazi FC
  ⚽ Joshua Mapande (40’)
• FC MUZA 2–1 Kabwe Warriors
  ⚽ Given Kalusa (28’, 45’) | Tryson Banda (72’)
• ZESCO United 6–1 ZANACO
  ⚽ Leonard Mulenga (20’), Derrick Obame (31’), Elvis Addae (34’), Abraham Siankombo (58’), Amine Hiver (90’), Anthony Chiyuka (90+3’) | Dominic Kanda (38’)

Final Word

It was a fittingly dramatic conclusion to the MTN Super League season, defined by late twists, emotional survival battles, and emphatic performances at both ends of the table.

FC Leopards’ relegation and ZESCO United’s attacking display summed up a day full of contrasting fortunes across Zambian football.