PSL RETURNS, ESWATINI STILL IN LIMBO

MBABANE – The good old football times are slowly but surely rolling back. In what could give a glimmer of hope that even locally, football activities are not very far from resuming, it has been officially confirmed that the Premier Soccer League (PSL) in South Africa has obtained the green light from government to resume action.

According to a report carried in the kickoff website, the PSL’s proposal for the resumption of training and competitive play has been approved.
This was asserted by Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa yesterday. On the flip side of things especially where local football is concerned, the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) has remained defiant that football games will resume as soon as government and health officials give the go-ahead for the remainder of the current season to be concluded.

So far, Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Harries ‘Madze’ Bulunga has not said anything different from government’s stance that local sporting activities remain indefinitely suspended. This has repeatedly been reiterated by the Eswatini Sport and Recreation Council (ESRC) and so far, there have been no indications suggesting otherwise.

attached

The latest news will be met with joy by the Eswatini international footballers who are mostly attached to Mbombela United, who play in South Africa’s First Division League. These players are Felix Badenhorst, Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa, Njabulo ‘D4D’ Ndlovu, Justice Figareito and Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze. Dennis ‘Yuki’ Masina and Siyabonga Bhembe complete the Eswatini contingent at the Nelspruit-based side as they are part of the technical bench. This means they are to report back to the club in readiness for the resumption of the season.

ascertained

It could not be ascertained if they had returned to the neighbouring country at the time of compiling this report but they are expected to be placed in self-isolation for 14 days as required while receiving regular testing.
This is in accordance with health officials’ instructions to assist in combating the spread of COVID-19.
“The plans of the Premier Soccer League have been approved, considering the mitigation strategies and plans in relation to the Level 3 risk adjusted strategy in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic,” read a statement from the sports ministry in South Africa.

“The plans have further been subject to analysis by health authorities, the NICD (National Institute of Communicable Diseases) who have recommended that the measures put in place by the organisation meet and in some instances exceed the required protocol for a safe return to training and to play in a biologically safe environment.”

provide

This has effect immediately and means clubs can resume training as of today, with the league set to provide further information as to when and where matches will take place.
It has been indicated that the season will resume in a world cup style environment, which will see teams report to an enclosed location that will restrict contact with any unauthorised persons until all matches have been completed.
Chiefs currently sit top of the log standings, with a four-point lead over second-placed Sundowns, who also have a game in hand.

SuperSport United, Orlando Pirates, Maritzburg United and Bidvest Wits make up the top six, all of whom still have a shot at the championship.
Meanwhile, Ajax Cape Town will also have a shot at securing promotion with the GladAfrica Championship expected to resume in a similar fashion. Mbombela United, on the other hand, have relegation battle to deal with as they are caught at the wrong end of the log table at the moment and will be looking to improve when action finally resumes. No immediate comments could be obtained from the Eswatini players at Mbombela when this report was put together yesterday evening.

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