The 2025 Absa Cup was the 18th edition of the annual knock-out competition in Zambian football, organized by FAZ. For the second time in the tournament’s history, the competition featured 21 teams. Following a format revamp approved by FAZ and Absa Bank Zambia in 2024, the Absa Cup included 10 provincial teams, seven MTN Super League teams, and four ZPL National League teams. This expanded format was designed to enhance nationwide participation and increase excitement in the tournament. Ten provincial teams competed in preliminary matches held on 15–16 March to determine which clubs advanced to the Round of 16. From that stage, the competition followed a single-elimination format, with knockout rounds played through the quarterfinals and semifinals, culminating in the final.
Teams The ABSA Cup is a single-elimination tournament featuring 21 teams in 2025, an expanded format introduced in the 2023 edition. It consisted of: 10 provincial representatives from Zambia’s ten provinces, who contested in a preliminary round. 7 MTN Super League clubs (top tier) and 4 National Division One teams (second tier), who entered in the Round of 16. All rounds were drawn randomly, with matches played at neutral venues across Zambia. Round Main date(weekends) Number of fixtures Clubs remaining New entries this round Winner prize money Loser prize money Divisions entering this round Preliminary round 15–16 March 2025 5 21 → 16 10 provincial teams K15,000 K10,000 10 Provincial Division One teams Round of 16 5–6 April 2025 8 16 → 8 7 Super League teams 4 National Division One teams K30,000 K20,000 MTN Super League National Division One Quarter-finals 12–13 April 2025 4 8 → 4 None K75,000 K30,000 None Semi-finals 26 April 2025 2 4 → 2 None K200,000 K100,000 None Final 10 May 2025 1 2 → 1 None K1,000,000 K400,000 None
Preliminary round A total of 10 provincial teams played in the preliminary round, joined later in the Round of 16 by 7 MTN Super League clubs (tier 1) and 4 National Division One clubs (tier 2). Provincial clubs represented Zambia’s 10 provinces. + Number of teams per tier still in competition MTN Super League National Division One Provincial Division One Total
Provincial Preliminary Round Matches
Round of 16 The 16 winners from the preliminary round and National Division One clubs played in the Round of 16. + Number of teams per tier still in competition Super League National Division One Provincial Teams
Quarter-finals The eight winners from the Round of 16 played in the quarter-finals. + Number of teams per tier still in competition Super League National Division One Provincial Teams
Semi-finals The four winners from the quarter-finals played in the semi-finals. All four teams remaining were MTN Super League sides. On 23 April 2025, the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) and ABSA Bank Zambia reversed an earlier decision to relocate the 2025 ABSA Cup semi-finals. Initially scheduled for Kabwe’s Railway Stadium — due to crowd-safety concerns from a derby incident at Ndola—the matches will now proceed as originally planned at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola FAZ explained the reversal followed widespread alarm over spectator safety after the Kitwe Derby between Nkana and Power Dynamos, during which over 500 stadium seats were damaged by Nkana supporters. In response, FAZ and ABSA reassessed the situation, concluding that full preparations at Ndola should continue. + Number of teams per tier still in competition Super League National Division One Provincial Teams
Final
+ Number of teams per tier still in competition Super League National Division One Provincial Teams
Top goalscorers RankPlayerClubGoals1Wilfred SikanyikaRed Arrows F.C.32Michee MalongaRed Arrows F.C.22Titus ChansaPower Dynamos F.C.22Eddie AnkoboPower Dynamos F.C.22Lindo MkhotaZESCO United F.C.22Abraham SiankomboZESCO United F.C.22Angel LubambaRed Arrows F.C.28Joseph Phiri (footballer)Red Arrows F.C.18Peter MusukumaZESCO United F.C.18Saddam Yusuf PhiriRed Arrows F.C.18Dalisto LunguKansanshi Dynamos18Brighton KabambaKansanshi Dynamos18Kizito KezronKansanshi Dynamos18Derrick BulayaRed Arrows F.C.18Noris MubangaRed Arrows F.C.18Mathews MwaleKansanshi Dynamos18Progress MukukaKonkola Blades F.C.18Mike NyaguKonkola Blades F.C.18Idris MbomboNkana F.C.18Osmond ChitaPower Dynamos F.C.18John ChinganduZESCO United F.C.1
References