MUFULIRA LEOPARDS ONE WIN AWAY FROM 2026 NATIONAL LEAGUE TITLE
Mufulira Leopards are one successful hunt away from being crowned 2026 Zambia Rugby Union National League champions, with victory over Kitwe Playing Fields (KPF) on Saturday enough to secure the title.
The Leopards head into the decisive encounter at Kitwe Playing Fields sitting comfortably at the top of the standings with 54 points from 13 matches, having won 11 games and lost just two.
A bonus-point victory over KPF would take Mufulira to 59 points, putting the title beyond the reach of the chasing pack and confirming the Leopards as champions with a game to spare.
The bonus point, awarded for scoring four or more tries, could therefore prove decisive in what has been an impressive campaign for the Mufulira side.
Green Buffaloes and Red Arrows are currently tied on 46 points, although Buffaloes have played 13 matches compared to Arrows’ 10. Nkwazi are fourth on 39 points, while Diggers are also on 39.
That means the chasing teams can still influence the final standings, but the Leopards have put themselves in a commanding position by consistently collecting victories throughout the season.
Mufulira’s numbers underline their dominance. They have scored 307 points and conceded 155, giving them a healthy +152 points difference.
Their 11 wins are also comfortably the most in the league, while their two defeats remain the fewest alongside Red Arrows, who have also lost twice.
The challenge on Saturday, however, is not simply about securing another victory but completing what has been a remarkable campaign in style.
KPF sit at the bottom of the table with no wins from 12 matches and just six points, but the Leopards will know that league deciders can carry their own pressure, particularly when the opposition has little to lose.
For Mufulira, though, the equation is simple: win with a bonus point and the championship is theirs.
Even a victory without the bonus point would take the Leopards to 58 points and leave the chasing teams needing to rely on their remaining fixtures and results to determine whether the title race stays alive.
The Leopards have already done the hard work, building a sizeable gap at the summit through a combination of victories and attacking production.
Saturday now presents an opportunity to turn that dominance into silverware.
For Green Buffaloes, Red Arrows and the rest of the chasing pack, the Leopards’ clash with KPF could effectively become a game for bragging rights if Mufulira complete the required job.
The message from the Leopards camp is therefore clear: one more successful hunt and the pride of Mufulira can finally be crowned 2026 National League champions.
Form is temporary. Class is permanent.
