May the best immune system win
Orlando Pirates head coach Woody Jacobs says the excitement about jumpstarting the league is there, but it may prove difficult to avoid coronavirus exposure.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
WINDHOEK
The thirst for local football action is noted, but it is not clear how the organisers will minimise Covid-19 exposure during the three months the transitional league will be played.
Three leagues will be played: the mainstream, as well as the first- and second-division leagues. Altogether they will attract close to 220 players.
The outspoken Jacobs said strict and regular coronavirus testing should be the order of the day, just like in the professional leagues.
He said this should become standard protocol because without regular testing the players will get exposed.
Difficult situation
“If matches start, players will be rubbing up against each other; there is sweat involved in this as well. Yes, football should start but on the other hand, it’s like we are saying, ‘let the guy with the best immune system win’. No one is to blame here, but it’s a very difficult situation we are in,” he said.
Asked what he is doing at training to minimise infection, he said they don’t share water bottles or training materials.
Another local coach, who did not want to be named, said players should change their behaviour.
“They should really take caution. Follow rules. We cannot control the movement of grown men, and we can’t put them in camp for the duration of the league. But we can’t preach behaviour chance from them,” he added.
Another concern voiced by two football fans, Moses Pail and Matthew Lawrence, is how the organisers will control the spread of the virus off the pitch, as players who live with their extended families might get infected and in turn infect their teammates.
Uncertainty
A player of Black Africa, Kanene Korupanda, said Namibia has been without football action for about three years and he is ready for the weekend.
In regards to how they are keeping safe at training, Korupanda said that every day, before the training session starts, their temperature is taken.
Namibian Sun also spoke to one of the league organisers, Mathew Haikali, who said the NFA had developed a Covid-19 regulation plan which is currently being reviewed by the medical committee.
Matches will be played at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek, Mariental Stadium, Jan Wilkens Stadium in Walvis Bay and the Mokati Stadium at Otjiwarongo. Spectators will not be allowed into the stadiums.
[email protected]
WINDHOEK
The thirst for local football action is noted, but it is not clear how the organisers will minimise Covid-19 exposure during the three months the transitional league will be played.
Three leagues will be played: the mainstream, as well as the first- and second-division leagues. Altogether they will attract close to 220 players.
The outspoken Jacobs said strict and regular coronavirus testing should be the order of the day, just like in the professional leagues.
He said this should become standard protocol because without regular testing the players will get exposed.
Difficult situation
“If matches start, players will be rubbing up against each other; there is sweat involved in this as well. Yes, football should start but on the other hand, it’s like we are saying, ‘let the guy with the best immune system win’. No one is to blame here, but it’s a very difficult situation we are in,” he said.
Asked what he is doing at training to minimise infection, he said they don’t share water bottles or training materials.
Another local coach, who did not want to be named, said players should change their behaviour.
“They should really take caution. Follow rules. We cannot control the movement of grown men, and we can’t put them in camp for the duration of the league. But we can’t preach behaviour chance from them,” he added.
Another concern voiced by two football fans, Moses Pail and Matthew Lawrence, is how the organisers will control the spread of the virus off the pitch, as players who live with their extended families might get infected and in turn infect their teammates.
Uncertainty
A player of Black Africa, Kanene Korupanda, said Namibia has been without football action for about three years and he is ready for the weekend.
In regards to how they are keeping safe at training, Korupanda said that every day, before the training session starts, their temperature is taken.
Namibian Sun also spoke to one of the league organisers, Mathew Haikali, who said the NFA had developed a Covid-19 regulation plan which is currently being reviewed by the medical committee.
Matches will be played at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek, Mariental Stadium, Jan Wilkens Stadium in Walvis Bay and the Mokati Stadium at Otjiwarongo. Spectators will not be allowed into the stadiums.
[email protected]
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