The Covid-19 pandemic, with over 18 million global cases by August 2020, disrupted football leagues worldwide, including in Africa. While some African nations like Tunisia and Tanzania resumed their leagues, others, such as Zambia and Algeria, faced cancellations or early terminations due to surging infections and health protocol challenges.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) delayed major tournaments like the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup to October 2020, reflecting the broader strain on the continent’s $1.4 billion football industry.
Tunisia: Ligue Professionnelle 1 Powers On
Tunisia became the second African nation after Morocco to restart its elite league, the Ligue Professionnelle 1, in early August 2020. Four-time African champions Esperance extended their lead to 12 points with a 2-1 comeback victory over mid-table Soliman, thanks to a first-half goal by national team forward Taha Yassine Khenissi.
CS Sfaxien drew 1-1 at Tataouine, while Monastir and Club Africain played out a 0-0 stalemate, with the latter boasting the league’s stingiest defense, conceding just five goals in 17 matches. The Tunisian Football Federation planned a full resumption by August, allowing individual training from June 4 and group sessions shortly after.
Zambia: Super League Cut Short
Zambia’s Super League, which resumed in mid-July 2020, was forced to end prematurely on August 6 after completing only 27 of 34 rounds due to a spike in Covid-19 cases. Napsa Stars, backed by the National Pension Scheme Authority, closed in on their first title with a 2-0 win over Buildcon, powered by Collins Sikombe’s brace.
Despite 19 staff testing positive for Covid-19—second only to Forest Rangers’ 28 cases—Napsa needed just one more victory to clinch the championship. The league’s early termination stemmed from clubs’ failure to adhere to health protocols, highlighting the pandemic’s toll, with Zambia reporting over 7,000 cases by August 2020.
Algeria: Championship Cancelled
Algeria, one of North Africa’s hardest-hit nations with over 30,000 Covid-19 cases by August 2020, opted to cancel its Ligue Professionnelle 1 and cup competitions. Using an average-points-per-game system, Chabab Riadhi Belouizdad were declared champions for the first time since 2001, earning a spot in the CAF Champions League alongside runners-up Mouloudia Alger.
Third-placed Entente Setif qualified for the CAF Confederation Cup. The decision reflected the severe health crisis, with fan bans and suspended handshakes already in place by March 2020.
Tanzania: Simba SC’s Double Triumph
Tanzania, the first African country to restart its league in mid-June 2020, completed its season with Dar es Salaam’s Simba SC securing a league and FA Cup double. In the cup final, Simba defeated Namunga 2-1 in Sumbawanga, with goals from Mozambican Luis Miquissone and John Bocco, despite a packed crowd ignoring social distancing protocols.
Namunga’s Edward Manyama scored a consolation goal, earning them a debut in the CAF Confederation Cup. Tanzania’s early resumption, with Simba leading the Ligi Kuu Bara by 17 points, set a precedent, though health concerns persisted.
Morocco: Title Race Heats Up
Morocco’s Botola Pro resumed on July 27, 2020, behind closed doors, igniting a fierce title race between Casablanca rivals Raja and Wydad. Raja’s 2-0 win over Youssoufia Berrechid brought them within two points of leaders Wydad, who drew 1-1 against Mouloudia Oujda.
Both clubs, three-time African champions, also reached the CAF Champions League semi-finals, joined by Egypt’s Al Ahly and Zamalek. Morocco’s successful restart, despite over 25,000 Covid-19 cases, positioned it as a leader in African football, later hosting the 2025 AFCON and WAFCON.
Looking Ahead
As Egypt and South Africa prepared to restart their leagues in August 2020, the varied responses across Tunisia, Zambia, Algeria, Tanzania, and Morocco highlighted the complex balance between sport and public health.
While Tunisia and Tanzania pushed forward, Zambia’s truncation and Algeria’s cancellation underscored Covid-19’s devastating impact, with Africa’s football industry facing losses akin to the 85,000 business closures reported in Ghana.
