MBABANE – Shockwaves rippled through Zambian football as ZESCO United’s abrupt suspension unsettled the league, casting uncertainty over fixtures, players’ futures and administrative order.
ZESCO United have been temporarily 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 into turmoil and compromises the careers of coaches and players. In a letter seen by Pan-Africa Football, the ZPL, through its general secretary Joseph Chimpampwe, faulted Zambia’s 2025–2026 CAF Confederation Cup representatives for undermining the league’s statutes.
“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 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, 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.”
The MTN Super League side stands accused of disregarding established internal dispute resolution procedures and failing to reverse the process despite prior warnings.
The ZPL has since indicated that the nine-time MTN Super League champions’ forthcoming fixtures have been suspended with immediate effect pending the court case, a move set to further disrupt the league programme.
“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.
Eswatini international and Sihlangu captain Lindo ‘Bhabhalazi’ Mkhonta is among those affected, as he plies his trade at the embattled club.
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