The restart of the Zambian season , planned for Saturday , was delayed 24 hours after 28 players and staff from league leaders Forest Rangers tested positive for coronavirus .
Rangers had been scheduled to play Zanaco in central city Ndola in the first Super League match since the season was halted in early March by the COVID - 19 disease .
All 18 league clubs had to undergo coronavirus tests this week and of the 58 players and staff at Rangers , only 30 were negative , according to the national football association .
“ The association is greatly concerned that some clubs have relaxed their adherence to the COVID - 19 guidelines , ” general secretary Adrian Kashala told AFP .
“ We should never forget that the league resumption can always be halted if clubs do not adhere to the prescribed guidelines .
“ Clubs will face stiff penalties for breaching COVID - 19 guidelines , including losing points or matches being cancelled . ”
The 2019 / 2020 season will now restart Sunday in Ndola with a double - header featuring Zesco United against Kansanshi Dynamos followed by Buildcon versus Power Dynamos .
Rangers top the table on 46 points from 24 matches as they seek a first title with Napsa Stars ( 45 ) , Green Eagles ( 44 ) , Nkana ( 43 ) and defending champions Zesco ( 42 ) in hot pursuit .
Nkana have won a record 12 Super League titles in Zambia followed by Mufulira Wanderers ( nine ) and Zesco ( eight ) .
Matches will be staged behind closed doors in the southern Africa nation , where there have been 2 , 810 confirmed cases of COVID - 19 and 109 deaths .
Zambia are the second country in Africa after Tanzania , where spectators are permitted , to restart their season .
Burundi were the only African nation to continue playing through the pandemic and allowed spectators during a season that finished last weekend .
Several major leagues , including those in Egypt , Morocco , South Africa and Tunisia , are expected to resume soon.
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