Covid19: No cause for alarm for Daniel  Akpeyi ,PSL players

Nigeria international Daniel Akpeyi and his professional colleagues plying their trade in South Africa’s Premier Soccer League (PSL) have cause to sing Hosanna in the highest as no information has been received of any of them being infected.

An unnamed league official was quoted by the South African media as saying that the PSL has not be informed of any leading players being stricken by the dreaded coronavirus, adding that with the current halt of all soccer activities in the Rainbow Nation result of virus pandemic was” dependent on the government”

South Africa is currently under an all-encompassing 21-day shutdown that has halted all sport in the country, with no decision as yet whether the widespread closure in activities will be extended at the end of the lockdown.

In the meantime, with even practice sessions on the banned list, many of the Absa Premiership clubs have devised “home” training routines for their players in order to maintain a certain level of fitness “when matters return to normal”.

“Players who do not follow these procedures will effectively be penalising themselves,” was a reaction of one of the PSL clubs.

In the meantime, while the PSL offices are officially closed, officials are reportedly “working from home” in sorting out many of the administrative matters associated with the existing crisis – as well as attending to issues associated with the League’s constitution.

Interestingly the players need not have migraine over their salaries as the PSL has also confirmed that the substantial standard monthly payments to clubs, both in the Absa Premiership and the GladAfrica League, are continuing as normal – “and this will ensure that players are paid their wages.”

Read AlsoEx-Kaizer Chiefs legend: Akpeyi still the best in South Africa

Kaizer Chiefs, who have Akpeyi and their number one goalie, were leading the 16-team PSL table with 48 points in 22 matches before the league was suspended following ravaging effect of the pandemic. Akpeyi was named in Gernot Rohr 23-man list to tackle Sierra lone in the now suspended 2021 AFCON qualifiers.