UNITED Brothers chairperson, Luyanda Ncwadi, said his club, and sport in general, had been badly affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
Ncwadi, who was once one of Young Bucks FC’s outstanding players, said, “After lockdown, we need to roll up our sleeves because there will be more work ahead of us. When we return to training and playing, it will be a mirror of our pre-season training. Our side had just played five games in Port Elizabeth East Football Association (PEEFA) Premier League and five games in the Mayoral Cup, with the finals being included.”
Ncwadi, along with Yibanathi Rubu and Xolile Njokweni, whom he had recruited into Brothers’ technical committee, encouraged players to train at home by doing basic exercises in their home yards.
He also stated that they would do an assessment and undergo fitness tests, reconditioning of players, simple training and hold Covid-19 awareness team talks after the lockdown.
According to him, Brothers will then be undergoing plyometric training, speed and agility training, basic strength training and practice matches.
“Our programme will depend on how many weeks we will have prior to the restart of the season. We will have to prepare sessions that will be compliant with the health and safety of our players during this period and that will also depend on the current levels implemented by the government. As a club, we are mindful of the risk when it comes to kit, water bottles and shaking of hands,” he said.
Ncwadi stated that activities for the junior players would depend on when they are allowed to return to school and when it is safe for them to resume training.
