South African Football Association (Safa) welcomes the decision by the National Soccer League (NSL) Board of Governors (BoG) to confirm dates for the conclusion of the 2019/20 soccer season.
“I would like to thank the NSL chairperson and the entire Board of Governors for helping put this matter to rest. We will now witness the ultimate and fair conclusion to the current and unique season, and I am sure the football-loving fans can’t wait for football to resume again,” said Safa president, Dr Danny Jordaan.
The Safa president said the Covid-19 pandemic had put football to a definitive test, but is happy that most of those challenges are now behind them.
“The match officials are getting into peak fitness and come August 8, it will be all systems go,” he said.
In the meantime, Safa medical officer and chief compliance officer Dr Thulani Ngwenya said that they are working flat out to put referees into great shape ahead of National Soccer League resumption scheduled for next month.
Safa has stepped up the efforts to make sure all officials are tested for Covid-19 and are in good physical condition in preparations for the resumption of Premier Soccer League and National First Division matches.
Dr Ngwenya also said that of all the officials tested, only three had come back positive.
“Only three referees tested positive for Covid-19, but are all asymptomatic. We are monitoring them on a daily basis and they are in quarantine in the other wing of the hotel,” he said.
Dr Ngwenya said all of the match officials in camp were looking in good shape and come August, will be ready for the arduous test.
