28 Players and Officials of Zambian Club Test Positive

Zambia Super League side Forest Rangers have announced that twenty eight players and officials from the club have tested for coronavirus.

The club said tests results received on Friday night revealed that out of 58 tests conducted, 30 turned negative.

Those tested positive are self-isolating and are showing mild or no symptoms and were all in good spirits and perfectly calm.

Despite the positive tests, Rangers are expected to play on Saturday against Zanaco at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.

“In accordance with the health guidelines that have been put into place by Ministry of Health and FAZ for football clubs to take Covid-19 tests before the league resumes, Forest Rangers football players and support staff took tests earlier this week,” the club said in a statement.

“A total number of 58 took the test, from which, 30 were negative as earlier reported and 287 positive cases.

“The club has since communicated to the Football Association of Zambia about this development.”

Rangers match against Zanaco will mark the resumption of the league which had been in suspension since March due coronavirus pandemic.

The majority of clubs must play 10 more league matches, but leading side Zanaco have 13 fixtures to fulfil owing to postponements caused by international commitments.

Forest Rangers lead the league with 46 points from their 24 games, followed by Napsa Stars (45 from 25), Green Eagles (44 from 24), Nkana (43 from 24) and Zesco United (42 from 24).

On Sunday, defending champions, Zesco United host Kansanshi Dynamos while Buildcon face-off with Power Dynamos.

There have been 2,810 confirmed cases of the COVID-19 disease in the southern Africa nation and 109 fatalities.