ZESCO United expelled from Zambian Premier League

ZESCO United have been expelled from the Zambian Premier League (ZPL) for breaching football rules and regulations by taking a football related dispute to a conventional court of law.

The suspension throws the league’s fixtures in turmoil and compromises careers of coaches and players.

In a letter which Pan-Africa Football has seen, ZPL through its general secretary Joseph Chimpampwe, faulted Zambia’s 2025-2026 CAF Champions Confederation Cup representatives for undermining the league’s statutes.

FULL-TIME RESULTS: MTN SUPER LEAGUE – WEEK 27

Crucial victories for Red Arrows, Kansanshi Dynamos, and FC Leopards record #Week27#MTNSuperLeague #ZPL pic.twitter.com/f1f2zW7WG2

— Zambian Premier League (@zambia_zpl) April 1, 2026

“We write to formally inform you that the Football Association has received a court summons concerning the ongoing matter involving your club’s appeal,” reads part of the letter signed by Chimpampwe.

“As you are aware, in our previous correspondence, your club was explicitly advised to refrain from referring football-related disputes to ordinary courts and to instead follow the established internal dispute resolution mechanism. It has come to our attention that ZESCO United Football Club has not complied with this directive and has proceeded to engage the ordinary courts in this matter.

“In light of this development, and in accordance with the FAZ Constitution and league regulations and governance principles, the Zambia Premier League has resolved to suspend ZESCO United Football Club from participation in the league with immediate effect.”

What becomes of ZESCO United’s forthcoming fixtures?

The MTN Super League team stands accuse of disregarding established internal dispute resolution procedures and failing to reverse the process despite prior warnings.

ZPL has since indicated that the nine-time MTN Super League champions’ forthcoming fixtures have been suspended with immediate effect pending the court case. The suspension will surely affect the league fixtures.

“This suspension will remain in force until the court matter is fully resolved. Consequently, all upcoming fixtures involving ZESCO United are hereby suspended until further notice,” reads the letter.

Why ZESCO United went to traditional court?

The powermen went to the traditional court of law to challenge their removal from the ABSA Cup over their earlier fixture against Mutondo Stars, which had already been played earlier in the season.

During its assessment, ZPL classified the match as a postponed fixture although ZESCO United had reached the required 17-game threshold needed for qualification.

The Ndola-based team was subsequently instructed to replay the fixture, which they lost resulting in the forfeiture of their ABSA Cup slot to FC MUZA, a team founded by Zimbabwe Football Association (FAZ) president Keith Mweemba. Upon his election, the FAZ boss announced that he was no longer involved in the club’s administration.

There is a lot at stake as the ABSA Cup winners earn the ticket to represent Zambia in the CAF Confederation Cup and ZESCO were the holders.

Can ZESCO United appeal against suspension?

ZPL has since indicated that the Ndola-based giants are free to appeal against the punishment provided they follow the right procedures.

ZESCO United were set to face Green Eagles on April 8 and currently occupy position 11 in the 16-member MTN Super League log table with 31 points, way behind leaders Power Dynamos’ 52 points from 24 games.

The ABSA Cup defending champions represented Zambia in the CAF Confederation Cup before the exiting the group stages with just one win, beating previous holders Zamalek while losing most of the matches to Kaizer Chiefs and Al Masry FC also from Egypt.