FAZ Unveils Roadmap For Lower Leagues & Women

The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) this weekend published the details of plans for the conclusion of the 2019/2020 season for lower leagues and women competitions, which were halted in March following the outbreak of COVID-19.

The roadmap, which also includes promotional play-offs for the National Division One, was developed during a FAZ Executive Committee meeting held on Thursday, 20th August 2020.

According to a press statement released by FAZ, General Secretary Adrian Kashala says teams across the leagues will be expected to play an equal number of games and will have to undergo health protocols as provided by the Ministry of Health.

“Following the continued upsurge in numbers of people contracting the Coronavirus, the stopping of the Premier League games, and the advice from the Ministry of Health, the Executive Committee have evoked Article 79 of the FAZ Constitution and decided to curtail the provincial leagues,” Kashala is quoted as stating.

Provincial leagues with 16 teams will play 22 matches before closing the league while 18 team leagues will close at week 24.

In accordance with the plans all teams must be tested for COVID–19. Test results must be obtained before any game goes ahead.

In addition, dates for the games will only be fixed after getting the clearance from Ministry of Health and after all the clubs have done the testing and obtained the test results.

Furthermore, the remaining games must be concluded by Sunday 11th October 2020 ahead of the National Division One Playoffs that will start on Wednesday 14th October 2020.

The women leagues will close once all the teams have caught up with the clubs that has played the highest number of games.

“The top teams in each league will converge for playoffs in Lusaka. The winner of the playoffs will be crowned as national champions,” Kashala confirmed.

FAZ also confirmed that the National Division One promotion playoffs are tentatively scheduled take place from 14th October to 18th October 2020. Details of the format have been availed to the clubs with provincial cups expected to be concluded once the 2020/2021 season commences.

Kashala appealed to all the clubs to strictly adhere to the Ministry of Health guidelines as they look forward to playing their matches.