Challenging times for SA football
The last two years, 2020 and 2021, were two of the most challenging in our football history because of the COVID-19 pandemic. And with 2,000 vaccinated fans allowed to attend South Africa’s World Cup qualifiers against Ethiopia, we all thought it was a matter of time before things go back to normal.
Political parties were also in full swing campaigning with thousands of supporters in attendance at their rallies ahead of the local government elections. And when this happened, it just seemed a matter of time before we would be back in local stadiums.
And then BOOM … the fourth wave hits us out of nowhere and now we are back at square one not knowing how long it will take before things start opening and fans and the media can watch live matches again.
Kaizer Chiefs were no show for their scheduled league matches against Cape Town City and Lamontville Golden Arrows because of a COVID-19 outbreak at Naturena. Of course, Chiefs should have handled the matter better by communicating with the League and then allowing the PSL to decide and announce whether the matches should be played or not.
But instead, Chiefs jumped the gun and let the cat out the bag themselves, while the League did a poor job of not communicating their position with the fans over whether the matches would be played or not.
And now we will wait for the disciplinary hearing to sit, where a decision will be made regarding the matter.
But with no domestic matches scheduled for the month of January due to the Africa Cup of Nations, the PSL must sit down and come up with a plan about the best way to finish the season, as well as how to handle matches when teams are hit by COVID-19.
Of course, the safety of players is of paramount importance but it’s also vital for League officials to make their position clear in terms of what will happen if clubs cannot fulfil their fixtures due to COVID-19 outbreak.
If the decision is the same as that made against Cape Umoya when they failed to fulfil their fixture against Cape Town Spurs due to the virus, then this must be very clear to everyone.
Afcon coverage & transfer window
And with the Afcon coming and a large contingent of PSL players expected to feature at the tournament, we have a four-page Afcon preview on page 56 where we give you all your need to know, as well as interview with Malawi coach Meke Mwase.
On page 52, the 2012 Afcon winner with Zambia, Chris Katongo, gives readers an insight into what made Chipolopolo successful nine years ago and opens up about his experience of playing in the tournament.
Our website, KickOff.com, will also feature daily stories from the tournament, as well match action and reaction.
And with the transfer window opening, we will also do our best in updating you, our readers, about the ins and out of players from your favourite clubs.