The MTN Super League is the highest level of football in Zambia and has produced some of the country’s greatest clubs and players. Although many fans know it as the MTN Super League today, the competition actually began in 1962 under the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ), making it one of Africa’s longest-running domestic football leagues.
The first club to lift the league title was Roan United of Luanshya in 1962, beginning a rich history that has seen traditional giants such as Nkana, Mufulira Wanderers, Power Dynamos, ZESCO United, Zanaco and Red Arrows dominate different eras. Over the decades, the league has become the heartbeat of Zambian football and the pathway to CAF inter-club competitions.
While MTN had been associated with Zambian football for several years, the league officially adopted the MTN Super League name in April 2021 after FAZ signed a new sponsorship agreement with MTN Zambia. The partnership, announced by FAZ President Andrew Kamanga alongside MTN Zambia, ushered in a new commercial era for the country’s top flight.
As of the end of the 2025/26 season, Power Dynamos are the reigning champions after successfully defending their title. Despite that achievement, Nkana remain the most successful club in league history with 13 league championships, underlining their legendary status in Zambian football.
Zambia Super League Champions
| Year | Champions |
|---|---|
| 1962 | Roan United |
| 1963 | Mufulira Wanderers |
| 1964 | City of Lusaka |
| 1965 | Mufulira Wanderers |
| 1966 | Mufulira Wanderers |
| 1967 | Mufulira Wanderers |
| 1968 | Kabwe Warriors |
| 1969 | Mufulira Wanderers |
| 1970 | Kabwe Warriors |
| 1971 | Kabwe Warriors |
| 1972 | Kabwe Warriors |
| 1973 | Zambia Army (Green Buffaloes) |
| 1974 | Zambia Army (Green Buffaloes) |
| 1975 | Green Buffaloes |
| 1976 | Mufulira Wanderers |
| 1977 | Green Buffaloes |
| 1978 | Mufulira Wanderers |
| 1979 | Green Buffaloes |
| 1980 | Nchanga Rangers |
| 1981 | Green Buffaloes |
| 1982 | Nkana |
| 1983 | Nkana |
| 1984 | Power Dynamos |
| 1985 | Nkana |
| 1986 | Nkana |
| 1987 | Kabwe Warriors |
| 1988 | Nkana |
| 1989 | Nkana |
| 1990 | Nkana |
| 1991 | Power Dynamos |
| 1992 | Nkana |
| 1993 | Nkana |
| 1994 | Power Dynamos |
| 1995 | Mufulira Wanderers |
| 1996 | Mufulira Wanderers |
| 1997 | Power Dynamos |
| 1998 | Nchanga Rangers |
| 1999 | Nkana |
| 2000 | Power Dynamos |
| 2001 | Nkana |
| 2002 | Zanaco |
| 2003 | Zanaco |
| 2004 | Red Arrows |
| 2005 | Zanaco |
| 2006 | Zanaco |
| 2007 | ZESCO United |
| 2008 | ZESCO United |
| 2009 | Zanaco |
| 2010 | ZESCO United |
| 2011 | Power Dynamos |
| 2012 | Zanaco |
| 2013 | Nkana |
| 2014 | ZESCO United |
| 2015 | ZESCO United |
| 2016 | Zanaco |
| 2017 | ZESCO United |
| 2018 | ZESCO United |
| 2019 | ZESCO United |
| 2019/20 | Nkana |
| 2020/21 | ZESCO United |
| 2021/22 | Red Arrows |
| 2022/23 | Power Dynamos |
| 2023/24 | Red Arrows |
| 2024/25 | Power Dynamos |
| 2025/26 | Power Dynamos |
Whether you’re a lifelong supporter or a new football fan, the history of Zambia’s top-flight league is a story of fierce rivalries, legendary players and clubs that have shaped the nation’s football identity. From the list its easy to see a Ndeke and Wusakili camps emerging in the 80s. This is the real source of the Kitwe Derby.
Also as time advanced looking after year 2000 you can see serious inputs into sport by Zesco coporation.
