Zambian Government Approves Resumption Of Super League

Zambia football was given government approval on Thursday to resume MTN/FAZ Super League although the coronavirus pandemic has not peaked.

The South African country recorded 1,489 Covid-19 infections and 18 fatalities by Thursday with the Presidency warning the worst was yet to come.

There has been no live football, rugby or boxing, the most popular sports in the republic since a national lockdown was introduced during March.

A statement by the presidency states that all sports activities will resume next month, with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Youth Sports and Child Development and the Ministry of Local Government tasked to inspect sports arenas to ensure they are ready for games.

Guidelines were made by the presidency for all Sports Disciplines to follow as they consider resuming sports activities. They include the following, but not limited to:

(a) Guiding principles stipulated by the statutory instruments 21 and 22 of 2020;

(b) Guidelines for various sports disciplines which have been categorized as non-contact, semi-contact and full-contact sport; and,

(c) Safeguards as outlined in the health guidelines for football at Premier and National Division One Leagues.

Though no date has been set for resumption, the championship is unlikely to finish by the recommended FIFA deadline of July 31, and officials are expected to seek an extension.

There are still six sides with a genuine chance of claiming the trophy, with only three points separating the top four sides.

The teams that may be hopeful of an annulment of the campaign are those at the bottom, with Nakambala Leopards, Mufulira Wanderers and Kabwe YSA all seemingly headed for the drop having been cut adrift from the rest.

The last matches in the Super League were played on March 8, which means the league has 10 rounds of games remaining

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).