By MICHAEL MIYOBA
THE Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) says the MTN/FAZ Super Division will not be cancelled because clubs have invested a lot to reach this point, so all the teams will have to sweat for the title.
FAZ vice-president Rix Mweemba insisted that the winner of the 2019/2020 season will have to play all the 34 games to maintain the credibility of the sport.
Mweemba was reacting to emerging calls by some clubs that the league season be cancelled if it fails to resume by next month due to the coronavirus.
On March 19, FAZ suspended all league matches following the outbreak of Covid-19 virus which has seen Zambia record 39 cases including one death.
“Obviously the effects of the coronavirus has affected clubs evenly so there will be no cancelation, it will commence from where it ended and we will make adjustments in the next season,” he said.
And Mighty Mufulira Wanderers Chief Executive officer Chimwemwe Luzendu says it would be pointless for the league to be cancelled as suggested by some clubs when there are only a few games remaining.
In an interview, Luzendu said the Super Division must continue whenever the Covid-19 pandemic which has halted sporting events is eradicated
Luzendu said clubs have invested a lot to win promotion while others are fighting to survive the relegation battle.
She also noted that playing games behind closed door as suggested by some members would affect clubs negatively because gate takings really help in the management of a football club.
“Playing the remaining games behind closed doors isn’t financially sustainable for clubs. Unless sponsorship will be provided for such an arrangement because nine games without gate takings is suicide,” Luzendu said
While Luzendu is of the view that the Super Division continues when the situation normalizes, Buildcon FC Chief Executive Officer, Hector Mulindwa believes the best thing to do is to start the league afresh when the situation normalizes.
“The best is for the league to end so that we can start afresh though it will be very bad for teams that have performed very well but there has to be a solution that will not have any negative impact on clubs,” Mulindwa said.
“It is a very difficult situation for teams that have really pushed and obviously teams will cry foul because there are a lot of games remaining and a lot of possibilities can come out, so I think as we plan, we have to look at how it will impact every team and the best case is to let the league run until the end.”
After 24 rounds of games played, Forest Rangers are dominating the Super division with 46 points, one point ahead of second placed Napsa Stars while Buildcon, Nakambala Leopards, Mufulira Wanderers and KYSA languish in the relegation zone.
