Red Arrows have been crowned 2023-24 MTN Super League champions following a 1-0 victory over Zanaco on Saturday, their second league title in three years and their third overall as a club.
Arrows’ winner came inside two minutes as Ackim Mumba found the back of the net, and they held on for the win to celebrate the title.
They would, in fact, have been crowned champions even in defeat after second-placed Zesco United were held to a 0-0 draw by Forest Rangers.
Arrows have an 11-point advantage at the top of the table with two rounds to play and will feature in the Caf Champions league next season. The race for second place, and Confederation Cup qualification, is still very much on, though none of the rest of the top three won.
After Zesco were held, third-placed Power Dynamos, now the deposed former champions, were also held goalless by already-relegated bottom side Trident FC. It means Zesco hold a four-point advantage in second place.
FC Muza could also throw themselves into the mix when they play on Sunday against Green Buffaloes.
RELEGATION BATTLE
There was an important win for relegation-threatened Prison Leopards, though they remain in serious danger of the drop, both five points from safety with two games left. If anything, it is perhaps a stay of execution. They beat Green Eagles 2-0.
Kansanshi Dynamos, also five points adrift, play on Sunday against Nkana FC.
Konkola Blades missed the chance to climb out of the relegation zone when they lost 1-0 to Mufulira Wanderers, Bwembya Kakungu getting the only goal early on.
Mutondo Stars and Kabwe Warriors played to a 1-1 draw, and Nkwazi got a 2-1 win at NAPSA Stars.
Simon Mulenga got a brace for Nkwazi, his first a penalty, before Daniel Adoko pulled one back for Stars before halftime.