The ball is now in the PSL’s court as they set out to complete their season in the middle of the coronavirus
pandemic.
Like the rest of us, they have to navigate an uncertain course in a world that has changed almost unrecognisably in the last three months or so.
With the government opening up the country bit by bit after a long lockdown, we have all had to adapt to the safety precautions needed to keep ourselves healthy.
Everyone must play their part to keep themselves and anyone they come into contact with disease free.
If we don’t, the whole house of cards falls flat.
GREEN LIGHT: Sports minister Nathi Mthethwa
And like the families of the 2 000 or so South Africans who have died to the virus know, the price that you will potentially pay is incalculable.
But return to play doesn’t need to be a death penalty.
Look to the big leagues in Europe and there is hope.
The PSL, Safa and government for their part have all taken great care in coming up with the protocols to ensure that everyone involved is on their toes as they return to training.
And once the plans are in place to get the ball rolling, sal die poppe dans.
The venue is still the biggest sticking point.
If I can rek my bek about
Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal being earmarked as the
potential new homes for football, then let me say I’m not convinced.
PRESTIGE VENUE: Soccer City in Johannesburg
The regions are by far the most densely populated metropoles in South Africa.
The bio-zones are going to be strictly ‘policed’ and the
discipline of each individual will be tested.
For most manne, being away from home for such a long time could be rough.
And it seems to me that Gauteng and KZN was just a moerse power grab by the big clubs to have games played on their turf.
Manne, in South Africa home advantage plays a massive role in game theory.
POTENTIAL: Durban's Moses Mabhida Stadium
The best thing relegation-
candidate Cape teams can hope for is playing on the Highveld.
Stellenbosch and Cape Town City are used to playing at sea level, but a good period of acclimatisation could help them compete better.
It’s been scientifically proven that height training can improve the capacity to store oxygen in the blood.
And so our coastal teams’ performance would at least be on a level with their binnelandse opponents.
By contrast, athletes who live and train at high altitudes get a boost of oxygen when playing at sea level and therefore have an advantage.
So to the players, stay healthy and train hard, because football is coming back.