Teams face off this weekend as season gets underway again

The first matches to kick off are Mamelodi Sundowns vs Bidvest Wits and Bloemfontein Celtics vs Baroka FC in the Nedbank Cup semi-finals this Saturday.

August 6, 2020

Lolo Madonsela 2 minutes read

ACR sportsman Kati Hlophe writes:

Finally, the football season will resume this Saturday after it was halted in March due to Covid-19.
The first matches to kick off are Mamelodi Sundowns vs Bidvest Wits and Bloemfontein Celtics vs Baroka FC in the Nedbank Cup semi-finals this Saturday.
This means that these four teams will be the first to go to a biologically safe environment or Bio-bubble camp that has been set up in Gauteng, whereby all the 32 teams from the PSL and GladAfrica Championship will be based for the duration of the season. Bio-bubble camp is similar to the Olympic Games Village, where every team is based for the entire tournament. The camp is in line with the safety protocols of Covid-19 to ensure that players will be safe from contracting the virus. The camp will be disinfected daily and screening of personnel will be done daily.

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PSL chairperson Dr Irvin Khoza mentioned that anyone who will be going to camp will be tested 48 hours prior to going into the camp and whoever is found to have Covid-19 symptoms will not be allowed in. It came as a surprise that Gauteng was chosen to host the remainder of the season, being the epicentre of the Covid-19 pandemic. Durban and North West were earmarked, but eventually it was granted to Gauteng and Dr Khoza defended their decision by saying that, “All the precautionary steps were taken to ensure the safety of players and staff.” He also mentioned that Gauteng had far better infrastructure in terms of stadiums and hotels. The first PSL League match will be on August 11 between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, and the last league games will be played on September 5, when the 2019/2020 champions will be crowned.
The Nedbank Cup final will follow on September 8; then the soccer calendar will be closed with the promotional / relegation play-offs from September 9 to 21. As soccer fanatics, we wait with bated breath to see who will finally be crowned as kings of the PSL 2019/2020 season on September 5. On a parting note, we would like to send condolences to the Orlando Pirates family after one of their staunch supporters, Mandla ‘Mgijimi’ Sindane (who was dubbed “soldier of the stands”) passed away on July 28 due to a heart attack. Sithi akwehlanga olungehliyo Mabhakabhaka.