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Grace Chingoma Senior Sports Reporter
THE Premier Soccer League was thrown into further turmoil yesterday as the surge in Covid-19 cases affected the few matches that were scheduled for this weekend.
This development has left only one fixture unaffected out of a total of nine.
The only match that will be played is the game between Ngezi Platinum and Herentals at Baobab this afternoon.
The game was spared after only two Ngezi Platinum players tested positive in the latest round of testing that is required 48 hours before a match. A league match cannot proceed if at least seven players test Covid-19 positive. The Premiership matches failed to take off during the midweek after several players tested positive for Covid-19.
Some of the games that were scheduled for this weekend were also affected. Yesterday, the league was forced to postpone two more matches after the latest round of testing.
The PSL Medical committee has since said they are keeping their feet on the ground in the wake of the rising cases.
But the situation on the ground is spiraling out of control.
The league action was put on hold last weekend to pave the way for the 2021 Chibuku Super Cup final between Ngezi Platinum Stars and FC Platinum.
The league matches were supposed to return during this weekend but players from several clubs tested positive upon resumption of training. Clubs are required to test before the resume training every fresh week. They are further expected to undergo another testing routine 48 hours prior to a match.
The cancellation of a host of games this week is a strong indication that the respiratory disease is wreaking havoc in the top-flight league.
The match between Bulawayo Chiefs and FC Platinum scheduled for Luveve tomorrow was postponed after the latest round of Covid-19 testing detected that a number of players were positive.
Another game that suffered the same fate was the match pitting Harare City and Yadah which was scheduled for National Sports Stadium tomorrow.
In a brief statement yesterday, PSL chief executive, Kenny Ndebele, advised the league stakeholders of the postponement.
“This serves to advise that following the latest Covid test received today, the following additional Castle Lager PSL Matchday Three fixtures have been postponed.
“Bulawayo Chiefs FC vs FC Platinum. Harare City vs Yadah FC.
“The fixtures will be rescheduled to a date to be advised,” he wrote.
The league’s fathers did not indicate when the Covid re-tests for the players that tested positive earlier in the week will be conducted.
The domestic competition, which failed to kickoff last year, has suffered numerous setbacks. The league was halted in July after authorities revealed there was a staggering 600 percent increase in the number of positive Covid-19 cases during the early stages of the Chibuku Super Cup.
The league action returned with rigorous health checks and strict adherence to the health protocols recommended by the PSL Sports Medicine Committee, the SRC, Government, and World Health Organisation.
Some of these conditions are that clubs are expected to test their players regularly, constantly fumigate their training and playing facilities, conduct health checks, ensure sanitization and employ a compliance officer who enforces the health protocols.
Matches had been played behind closed doors and, a limited number of fully vaccinated spectators was only allowed back in the terraces last month.
But the fourth wave is threatening league action which is expected to go on break to pave way for the Africa Cup of Nations starting at the end of this month until next year when the Warriors join other nations at the continental showcase in Cameroon.
Fixtures:
Today: Ngezi Platinum Herentals (Baobab, 3pm).
Online Reporter