OVER 10 PLAYERS COVID-19+

MBABANE – The COVID-19 pandemic is sweeping across the local football landscape like a tornado.

The start of the MTN National First Division (NFD) league games yesterday was thrown into disarray when over 10 players from four different teams tested positive for COVID-19 forcing a game between Rail United and Illovo FC to be called off. According to reliable sources close to the matter, four teams in the NDF had players as many as 15 who had tested positive. Some of the teams that confirmed that they have players who have contracted the virus are Rail United and Mbabane Citizens. However, their officials while confirming cases within their camp, requested to remain anonymous.

Cancelled

The source further highlighted that a game had to be cancelled because one of the teams had more than five cases. Investigations done by the Sports Desk reveal that there was a game that had to be called off because of COVID-19 positive cases. It was the game between Rail United and Illovo which was supposed to be played yesterday at Mhlume Stadium. Kickoff time was 3pm. It is alleged that Rail United had six players that had tested positive. According to the MTN Rules and Regulations, a game will not continue if there are over five cases. Article 6l (III) stipulates that “Where at least five players have been discovered to have tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19 positive test), the scheduled match shall be postponed and played at a later date, as will be determined by the competition organisers.” Reached for comment, Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) Pat Vilakati, confirmed that a game had to be cancelled because of COVID-19.

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