FAZ Playoffs Heat Up as Disciplinary Rulings Reshape Promotion Race

Zambia’s battle for promotion to the 2025/26 FAZ National Leagues reached a dramatic turning point after an exciting Thursday of play was followed by key disciplinary decisions that overturned match results and reshuffled group standings in both the men’s and women’s playoffs.

On the pitch, Green Buffaloes Girls FC stamped their authority in the Women’s National League playoffs, defeating Mweenzo Queens Academy 1-0 to secure a third consecutive win and clinch the top spot in Group A with nine points, guaranteeing their return to the elite league next season. Valley Queens FC kept their promotion hopes alive with a 2-0 victory over Kalumbila Queens, climbing to second place on six points and needing just a positive result in their final match to join Buffaloes in the top tier.

Group B saw Pemba Queens remain unbeaten with a 0-0 draw against Bwacha Pirates Queens FC, sitting comfortably on seven points and just a draw away from promotion. Meanwhile, Young MU Sports Academy revived their campaign with a narrow 1-0 win over Mulauli Academy, setting up a tense battle for the final promotion spot in the group.

In the men’s playoffs, Makeni All Stars became the first team to secure promotion after a 2-1 win over Roan United, maintaining a perfect nine-point record in Group B. Other teams like Teta FC, Nangweshi Pirates, and Bart’s FC remain in contention for the second promotion place. In Group A, Chipata City Council FC’s 2-0 win over Mathkat FC put them on six points and closer to qualification, while Crown FC picked up their first win by defeating Solwezi Academy 1-0, keeping the group open for several teams.

Off the field, disciplinary rulings have dramatically shifted the promotion picture. The FAZ Disciplinary Committee ruled that Mathkat FC forfeited their match against Solwezi Academy after fielding Farai Diego Gwarazimba, registered as a club official, not a player. This violation of player registration rules overturned the original result, awarding Solwezi Academy a 3-0 win and elevating them to the top of Group A, strengthening their promotion bid.

Similarly, in the women’s playoffs, Valley Queens FC were awarded a 3-0 forfeit victory over Young Green Buffaloes Girls FC after an investigation found Buffaloes fielded a player under a false identity. This ruling propelled Valley Queens to the top of Group A with a perfect nine points, pushing Buffaloes to second place.

FAZ has cautioned all clubs that further breaches of player eligibility regulations could lead to automatic disqualification and forfeiture of all matches.

With the playoffs heading into their final rounds this weekend, the battle for promotion remains intense both on and off the field, as clubs jockey for the few remaining spots in the top leagues for the 2025/26 season.

Friday’s penultimate fixtures

Women — Munis A

• 13:00 Mweenzo Queens Academy vs Kalumbila Queens
• 15:00 Chipembele Police Queens vs Green Buffaloes Girls FC

Women — Munis B

• 13:00 Bwacha Pirates Queens FC vs Young MU Sports Academy
• 15:00 Ingwe Girls FC vs Pemba Queens FC

Men — Munis Stadium

• 12:30 Chipata City Council vs Crown FC
• 15:00 Muchinga Blue Eagles vs Mathkat FC

Men — Edwin Imboela Stadium

• 12:30 Bart’s FC vs Roan United FC
• 15:00 Teta FC vs Nangweshi Pirates FC

With two more matchdays to play, the stage is set for a dramatic finish as teams battle for the final promotion spots and the chance to compete in Zambia’s National League next season.