Covid-19 ‘flattens’ football action in Ladysmith and surrounding district
Mr Phiri says the virus has caused a major problem in the region
South African Football Association (SAFA) president Mr Themba Phiri has released a statement to update locals and football teams in the uThukela District on how the Covid-19 scourge has impacted on football locally.
Mr Phiri says the virus has caused a major problem in the region, as uThukela was set to host the Provincial Inter-Regional Play-Offs for promotion to the ABC Motsepe League. “Our league was scheduled to be completed by the end of May, but the virus has delayed our progress. We even planned to have a referees’ course. Our U/15 league was scheduled to kick off by March and we had more U/15 clubs than all the regions in the province, but our plans have been put on hold due to Covid-19.
“SAFA was busy preparing for the workshop for league co-ordinators, which ended up not taking place due to the virus. Our regional league streams were starting to get to the peak of determining those who would represent each stream in the regional play-offs, where the soccer coaches were also boasting that they would win. People are thirsty for soccer games, as the AG Magubane Stadium used to get packed with spectators watching their favourite teams,” said Phiri.
The Ladysmith Gazette conducted an interview with Mr Abdul (a coach for Zamanani), who spoke of how the virus has affected them.
“We are one of the soccer teams who are doing well in the SAB League, as we are in the top five.
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“I am worried about the fitness of the players, as they have been away from the field for so long.”
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