'Change the calendar' – Rain Disruptions Spark Call to Reconsider ZPL Calendar

Waterlogged pitch at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on March 15, 2026. (Photo courtesy of NAPSA Stars FC media)

The recent match disruptions caused by heavy rains have reignited debate over the Zambian Premier League (ZPL) calendar, with stakeholders pushing for a schedule that avoids playing during the rainy season.

In 2019, the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) shifted the domestic league calendar from the traditional March–October format to an August–May schedule, aligning it with most international leagues.

This decision was unpopular because it meant that some of the games would be played during the rainy season. Once in a while, games have been cancelled as pitch conditions have been declared unplayable after a downpour.

Recently, in the Super League, the match between Power Dynamos and FC Leopards was halted in the eighth minute due to heavy rain. The game was continued the following day.

It has not worked – Siwale

Blackwell Siwale, a former FAZ executive committee member and ex-Nchanga Rangers president, says there is a need to revert to the old calendar due to inadequate infrastructure to support the current schedule.

“We have tried it; maybe we can use the maxim of ‘if you don’t try, you don’t know whether it works or not.’ We have tried it, and it has not worked; it hasn’t worked, and it will not work because our playing surfaces are not up to the standard that we can suit to this calendar,” Siwale said in an interview.

He said there is a lot of work that has to be done on improving infrastructure before insisting on sticking to the current schedule.

“The calendar that we have now is not working; we have so many abandoned games, especially at the lower level, if a game at Arthur Davies Stadium, one of the best pitches in the country, can be halted, what more at a lower league where they play on grounds?” Siwale wandered.