BARNABAS ZULU
FOOTBALL Association of Zambia (FAZ) vice president Mutale Ng’andu has officially launched the 2025 National League Playoffs, describing the tournament as a major milestone in the association’s decentralisation agenda.
Speaking during the launch at Lusaka Municipal Sports Club (Munis), Ng’andu said the playoffs are now a permanent and important fixture on the local football calendar.
“The decision to formally flag off the 2025 play-offs was motivated by the importance that the executive committee attaches to our provincial leagues,” he said.
“With FAZ’s decentralisation policy taking root, the provinces now have an opportunity to unveil some of the great talents that they have unearthed.”
Ng’andu added that the playoffs have grown in stature and are now drawing serious attention from elite football circles.
“Several top clubs in the country are sending their top scouts to identify some of the promising talents. There are greater opportunities for players to make their big breaks and administrators to network on the development of the game,” he said.
Despite the current lack of a title sponsor, Ng’andu assured stakeholders that FAZ is committed to ensuring the smooth running of the tournament.
“We will endeavour to do our part in ensuring that these games move smoothly. The long-term desire is to have a sponsor that will cover most of the costs around hosting these games,” he said.
“In the absence of a sponsor, we are doing our best to mitigate the cost through measures that have been communicated to the participating members.”
This year’s playoffs are taking place at Edwin Imboela Stadium and Lusaka Municipal Sports Club (Munis) from June 17 to 21, 2025. The top two teams in both the men’s and women’s categories will earn promotion to the Zambia Premier League National Division One.
Meanwhile, Solwezi Academy edged Muchinga Blue Eagles 1-0 in a Group A opener, thanks to a 20th-minute strike from Vincent Chinoya.
In Group B, Makeni All Stars came from behind to beat Teta FC 3-1. John Kabwe gave Teta the lead in the 57th minute, but Peter Soneka (65’), Penius Tonga (78’), and Kenani Phiri (90’) turned the match around for the Lusaka-based side.
Solwezi Academy and Makeni All Stars both walked away with maximum points as the playoffs got off to an exciting start.
