All systems go for the restart
STAKEHOLDERS rose as one to acclaim the restarting of domestic football in the country after the National Soccer League’s Board of Governors announced that August 8 will mark the return of top-flight action.
Football has been marking time since the coronavirus brought the game to a screeching halt in midMarch. Now the action will resume with the Nedbank Cup semi-finals on Saturday, August 8 in Gauteng. The match venue has not yet been announced but Soccer City looks like the preferred choice for both semi-finals.
The semi-finals will see Mamelodi Sundowns face Bidvest Wits and Bloemfontein Celtic will go up against Baroka FC.
The Absa Premiership will resume on Tuesday, 11 August, at Gauteng venues in the biologically safe environment (BSE).
Cape Town City FC chairman John Comitis said restarting the PSL campaign helped to settle the highly contentious matter of promotion and relegation.
“On a sporting basis, completing the season is the fairest way to finalize promotion and relegation,” said Comitis.
“We are all excited to hear that we will be returning to the playing field. Under the circumstances, with the many uncertainties in the world, it is reassuring to know that we have a date to resume football. We are especially grateful that the current season will wind to its completion.
“I am glad that the PSL, Board of Governors and chairman made this decision in unison.
“We are looking forward to the return and our team is very ready. Our team Cape Town City have been preparing for this. For us, it has been a long time coming.”
Danny Jordaan, South Africa Football Association president, was also very happy.
“I would like to thank the NSL chairman and the entire Board of Governors for helping put this matter to rest,” Jordaan said.
“We will now witness the ultimate and fair conclusion to the current and unique season. I am sure the football-loving fans cannot wait for football to resume again.
“The match officials are getting into peak fitness and on 8 August, it will be all systems go.”
PSL chairman Irvin Khoza, who has been at the heart of the rebooting process, said the resumption of domestic football was a ‘good news’ story for the country.
“This announcement will assist in lifting the mood of the country. It will also mitigate some of the challenges faced by our country and the global community,” said Khoza.
“We have informed our stakeholders, including the Minister of Sport, the MEC of Sport in Gauteng, Safa, the broadcasters SuperSport, Absa, Nedbank, GladAfrica and SAFPU about the plans.”
Meanwhile, Safa’s chief compliance officer Dr Thulani Ngwenya has announced that three referees tested positive for Covid-19 but are all asymptomatic.
He, however, emphasised that this will not jeopardize the restarting campaign.