Golden Drifters FC reflects on Covid-19 impact and way forward
Another setback for the club was dropping its ladies team due to sponsors pulling out.
While the South African Football Association (SAFA) still argues about the resumption of Premier Soccer League (PSL) matches, leagues on the bottom of the food chain find themselves in dark days.
Local football club, Golden Drifters has had to release some of its players as there’s been very little hope that the lower leagues will be given the green light to complete the league matches.
Drifters, which currently plays in the SAB West Rand league, is one of many clubs that were forced to close their camps after strict regulations were imposed by government to flatten the spread of Covid-19.
The club’s president, Mr Proud Shoko, who has spent this indefinite period restructuring the club’s technical and administrative sides, said with the lack of proper resources in their league, they might be forced to cancel the league until next year.
“Rumours circulating are that the league might be scrapped or resume in October,” he indicated.
“I don’t see how we can complete the league under these conditions because our SAB ground is on open field to which anyone has access,” he argued. In addition to these unfortunate circumstances, Shoko indicated that they had to drop some of their players from outside Gauteng whose families feared for their health. “To replace these players, we’ve been acquiring the services of other players we’ve been eyeing for some time,” he said.
Another setback for the club was dropping its ladies team due to sponsors pulling out. The club’s president indicated that the male team took up the services of defunct ladies team coach, Fannie Dlamini.
In an interview with Dlamini, he said the transition to working with boys will not be a challenge at all. “Look, the philosophy of football is the same, despite gender. With the boys, I will have to adjust to their technique of play and add my vision of finishing in the top eight this season,” he envisaged.
The Northsider also spoke to one of its players, Thembinkosi Shabangu aka Kokota Piano about the effects of Covid-19. “So far it’s been bad on my side. Healthwise I am good but emotionally not,” the frustrated player said.
He alluded that the pandemic has affected his level of fitness. “I do train indoors but it isn’t enough for me because I enjoy a full pitch to execute my training properly,” he explained.
He concluded by saying that he is praying and hoping that the pandemic is curbed in order for them to return to the pitch safely.
