GOD HELP US! LWANDAMINA BEMOANS COVID-19 IMPACT ON TEAMS

The FAZ/MTN Super League season returned last weekend under a hazy cloud, four months’ after a temporal suspension following the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic. The league resumed under very strict health guidelines underlined by the Government through the Ministry of Sports and the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ).

FAZ directed that all remaining matches be played under closed doors. The Association further directed that all COVID-19 tests be carried out on all Super league players before the games could begin.

This meant that COVID-19 tests were to be done and results known to FAZ officials and participating teams at least before a ball is kicked. All these pronouncements were made within three weeks of having announced the resumption of the domestic league.

FAZ led by the Association President and officials from the Ministry of sports led by the sports Director moved offices to Ndola, the venue for the first game. The officials from both organizations had their boots on the ground a few days before Saturday’s opening fixture between Forest Rangers and Zanaco.

This was a week of numerous meetings between the parties involved all aimed at ensuring that everything was on point before the first whistle was blown. With everything set in motion, the stage was set for the return of Super League action.

Africa’s Pay Television Sports channel, SuperSport cameramen were oozing with confidence, ready to transmit live signals into the homes of millions of Zambian fans who had been deprived of league action for months. Sniffing the resumption of the domestic league that weekend, Zambians had every reason to ‘STAY SAFE BY STAYING AT HOME’ in this COVID-19 pandemic era.

A bright cold Saturday morning greeted everyone with news that Forest Rangers players had tested positive for COVID-19. The Club released a statement informing the public about the test results.

“In accordance with the health guidelines that have been put in place by the 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. A total number of 58 took the test, from which, 30 were negative as earlier reported and 28 positive cases,” disclosed the Club Media and Public Relations department.

An emergency meeting was quickly converged led by officials from FAZ, Ministry of Sports and member clubs. A decision was made that all matches were to be played subject to COVID-19 test results. The meeting further agreed to suspend the Forest Rangers vs Zanaco FC match.

As this was unfolding, ZESCO United coach George Lwandamina, was busy fine tuning his squad for Sunday’s clash against Kansanshi Dynamos. In the course of the week, Lwandamina bemoaned players lack of fitness. However, the gaffer was pleased with the fact that he had a full squad including those that were plagued by injuries and fatigue.

Lwandamina selected arguably his strongest side which he hoped could deliver three crucial points.

Unknown to the coach was that two of his players had tested positive for COVID-19. The test results for ZESCO United came out a few hours ahead of Sunday’s kick-off. This was despite the team having done the tests six days before Sundays game.

The result also meant that the players who were sharing the same rooms with those who tested positive were automatically not eligible to participate in the game and a decision was made to isolate them.

Lwandamina’s player selection was thrown in disarray, having announced his starting XI a day earlier.

“It is very difficult when you are working on certain things and suddenly you receive that kind of news. I agree that we have a good number of players but it’s not everyone who can play and more especially the time I got the news, it was when I had announced the team.

I was forced to start calling those who were not in my team. Their(players) first impression was that I was calling them because they were affected by the test results. But I tried to talk to them and explained the circumstances. I encouraged them to prepare themselves for a game they were not supposed to play. That’s not enough for players.

We have been together in camp including those who are sick. I know we will need to go through another test which am sure is costly for the club, but to be certain we have to do just that,” he explained.

Lwandamina has further bemoaned the psychological impact these test results will have on all the teams and on results on the pitch.

“It is not just about ZESCO United players. Psychologically, this is going to affect everyone. When you are put in suspense especially when you don’t have results, that takes a tore out on someone. The worst part of psychology is that it takes a lot of energy and stresses someone to the point that one can’t play football.

With the confusion that has thus precipitated the beginning of the league, the ZESCO United coach is concerned with the league organizers ability to manage the remaining games under the prevailing circumstances.

“The environment surrounding this pandemic, associated with football, I am sure we are not ready. We should have been doing these things before even announcing the resumption of the league so that things are put in place.

It’s sad that people concentrated on preparing the teams for the games overlooking the important aspects of health. These players are connected; they are a family. So when they feel that one is sick, they are also affected. It is a chain reaction. Having three sick players means that I have a total of six players out of the game.”

When FAZ announced the resumption of the league, the excitement in the country was more about who was going to end up the 2019/2020 FAZ/MTN Super League Champions. However, Saturday’s proceedings have perhaps altered the narrative. Football or preserve lives?

Lwandamina is already looking to the heavens to decide if the authorities can’t decide the fate of the league.

“There is nothing like good planning. You can plan but when COVID-19 test results are out, you find that everything that you had put on paper is gone. It is difficult for everyone. It’s only GOD himself who will decide if those who are in charge can’t decide, God will decide for us.”

Author: Desmond Katongo