The race for Zambian football’s most lucrative prize is officially on. The 2026 ABSA Cup was launched in style on Monday morning at ABSA House in Lusaka, with the draw for the preliminary round setting the wheels in motion for what promises to be a thrilling knockout spectacle.
In a major boost for the competition, headline sponsors ABSA Bank Zambia have upped the ante, injecting a record K7 million into the tournament.
This marks a 7.7% increase from last year, underscoring the bank’s commitment to elevating the local game.
The Jackpot: What’s at Stake?
The financial rewards this year are set to change lives and clubs. Beyond the glory of lifting the trophy, the prize money breakdown reads like a game-changer:
- 🥇 Champions: K1,100,000
- 🥈 Runners-up: K450,000
But the spoils don’t stop there. Individual brilliance will also be handsomely rewarded, with standout performers competing for prestigious accolades:
- Player of the Tournament: K25,000
- Golden Boot (Top Scorer): K25,000
- Golden Glove (Best Goalkeeper): K25,000
- Man of the Match (Preliminary to Round of 16): K5,000 per match
- Man of the Match (Quarter-final to Final): K15,000 per match
In a landmark commitment, ABSA has also pledged logistical support to the eventual winners if they go on to represent Zambia in the CAF Confederation Cup for the 2026/27 season, ensuring they have the backing needed to compete on the continental stage.
The Plot Thickens: ZESCO’s Status Reversed
Just as the tournament launched, a dramatic twist emerged in the qualification narrative. ZESCO United’s automatic spot in the Round of 16 has been temporarily reversed. The Zambia Premier League clarified that the slot was awarded in error due to an unplayed Week 2 fixture against Mutondo Stars.
The league has confirmed the rescheduled match will take place before the ABSA Cup preliminary round kicks off. This means FC MUZA’s hopes are very much alive—if ZESCO United loses that crucial encounter, the slot will revert to them, adding a layer of high-stakes drama before the cup competition even begins.
The Road to the Final: Dates & Broadcasts
The path to glory is clear. Provincial teams will battle for the right to face the Super League giants in a knockout format that promises shocks and upsets.
- Preliminary Round: 21/22 March
- Round of 16: 4/5 April
- Quarter-finals: 18/19 April
- Semi-finals: 25/26 April
- Final: 9/10 May
Fans won’t miss a moment of the action, as all matches will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
The Battles Begin: Preliminary Round Draw
Ten provincial hopefuls will enter the fray in March, with only five advancing to face the elite. Here are the first-round matchups:
- Solwezi Mushitala Stars (North Western) vs Teta FC (Northern Province)
- Forest Myooye (Central Province) vs Barotse Crocs (Western Province)
- Nampundwe (Lusaka Province) vs Mikalile (Eastern Province)
- Mathkat United (Luapula) vs Play It Forward (Southern Province)
- Zambezi Portland (Copperbelt) vs Real Nakonde (Muchinga Province)
The Giants Await: Round of 16 Outlook
The winners will then be thrown into the deep end against the country’s football heavyweights in the Round of 16:
- Winner Match 1 vs ZESCO United / FC MUZA
- Winner Match 2 vs Mufulira Wanderers
- Winner Match 3 vs Power Dynamos
- Roan United vs Nchanga Rangers
- Chirundu United vs Kabwe Warriors
- Kafue Celtic vs ZANACO FC
- Winner Match 4 vs Makeni All Stars
- Winner Match 5 vs Red Arrows
With a record purse on the line and the continent within reach, the 2026 ABSA Cup is shaping up to be a classic. The road to glory begins now.
