After the week 17 fixtures, the top six teams from the Zambian Super League and the top two from the National Division 1 league qualified for the 2022–2023 ABSA Cup, which is Zambia’s biggest cup competition.
Power Dynamos, last season’s runners-up, Red Arrows, and the 2015 champions, Green Buffaloes, qualified for the competition from the Super League.
The other three include Green Eagles, Forest Rangers, and Muza FC while Mufulira Wanderers and Trident FC are the two teams from the National League.
Reigning champions, Napsa Stars FC, will not be able to defend the title after missing out on qualification.
Zanaco FC, Nkana, and record title holders of the competition, Zesco United, all failed to qualify after finishing half of the season below the top 6 brackets.
The ABSA tournament will be held for the 16th time this year, and it will be the second time in a row that the defending champions have failed to qualify for the tournament, the first being Lusaka Dynamos in the previous season.
In-form Power Dynamos have not competed in the ABSA Cup since reaching the semi-finals in 2018.
They lost the Cup to Napsa Stars in 2012 on post-match penalties (4-2) and will seek redemption and aim to win it for the third time having won it twice before, in 2011 and 2009.
Meanwhile, Green Eagles, MUZA FC, and Forest Rangers will be hoping to win the tournament for the first time, while Mufulira Wanderers and Trident will be looking to impress and upset the Super League teams.
