FOLLOWING the ABC Motsepe League’s temporary shutdown, which was announced by the Eastern Cape South African Football Association early last week, Ezibeleni-based club, Amavarara FC, has reacted by asking its players to stay at home as a safety measure during the Coronavirus outbreak.
The club is currently not training and will be away from their Ezibeleni clubhouse until, at least, the date when the league resumes, as there are no matches scheduled because of the spread of the Covid-19.
Amavarara chairperson, Lusapho Mzwakali, said, “The players must stay at their homes until the league is reopened. They have not been tested (for Covid-19) but are (all being told to stay home) in response to the complete football shutdown and internal risk management programmes.
“I wish to inform all stakeholders that we have not yet designed a crisis management plan that is ready to deal the Coronavirus head on, but are busy engaging with the medical team in trying to be a step ahead.”
There are only two players in the team that are originally from other provinces; Sivuyile Hlatshwayo is from Cape Town in the Western Cape, while Gift Manyingisa is from Bethlehem in the Free State.
Defender Abongile Mani is from Port Elizabeth in Nelson Mandela Bay, Khanya Mini is from Matatiele in Alfred Nzo District and that means a total of only four players come from outside of the Chris Hani District.
Amavarara are currently in sixth place on the log with 35 points, 12 points behind log leaders Bizana Pondo Chiefs, and have a game in hand.
The Chris Hani District-based side was last in action on March 14, when they beat Mthatha Bucks 4-1 in the league in Komani. ‘Varara’ would have faced Highbury FC three days later, but SAFA EC then announced the suspension of all football games in the province.
