The FAZ National Division 1 promotion playoffs will have a strong 2026 ABSA Cup flavour when 10 provincial teams battle for four National League slots in a week-long tournament at Lilayi, Lusaka, from June 22-26.
Nine of the 10 FAZ Provincial Division 1 sides that featured in the 2026 ABSA Cup will contest the annual playoffs.
Northern Province’s Teta FC are the only absentees after being eliminated in the ABSA Cup preliminary round.
Teta will also miss out on promotion after losing the 2025 FAZ Division 1 playoff ticket to Makeni All Stars.
Makeni and Roan United have since earned promotion to the 2026/2027 FAZ Super League.
Mapande Youth Academy replace Teta in Group A alongside Western Province’s Barotse Crocs, Northwestern’s Mushitala FC and ambitious Central Province side Forest Myooye, who reached the 2026 ABSA Cup round of 16.
Myooye have a reunion with Barotse Crocs in Group A after beating them 5-0 in the ABSA Cup preliminary round.
ABSA Cup quarterfinalists Play It Forward from Southern Province complete Group A and are among the three teams to watch after their cup run this season.
Group A matches will be played at Miller Ground.
Group B features ABSA Cup round of 16 sides Nampundwe from Lusaka Province and Copperbelt’s Zambezi Portland FC.
The two, plus Play It Forward, will be in the playoffs spotlight.
Muchinga’s Real Nakonde will attempt a return to the National League after their 2020 relegation and will hope for better fortunes following a first-round ABSA Cup exit.
Mikalile FC complete Group B and get a chance to avenge a 2-0 ABSA Cup preliminary loss to Nampundwe.
The top two from each group will earn promotion to the second-tier FAZ National League, with a shot next term at the four Super League tickets available for the 2026/2027 campaign.
