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PSL, PLE IN CONSULTATION FOR FOOTBALL RESTART IN ESWATINI

12/09/2020 07:45:00 BY THEMBA ZWANE

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MBABANE – In times of crisis, sharing ideas to come up with a solution is the best decision.

This is exactly what the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) are currently doing.

The PSL is the custodian of top flight football in South Africa, being the elite league and the GladAfrica Championship.

Same applies for the kingdom; the PLE is the custodian of the MTN Premier League and the National First Division.

In March, both the PSL, an affiliate of the South African Football Association (SAFA) and PLE, an affiliate of the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) stopped all football activities after these mother bodies directed that football be suspended indefinitely due to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic which has divested the entire world.

resolution

The PSL restarted the 2019/20 season on August 8, 2020 while the EFA announced last month that a resolution has been taken to cancel the season, promoting teams as per the logs standing when football was suspended on March 13, 2020 and effecting no relegation in all levels.

For the money-spinning ABSA premiership and GladAfrica Championship, the restart was a success but due to a number of challenges locally, financial implications in particular, it could have been very tricky for Eswatini to restart, hence the decision to cancel the season.

transpired

It has since transpired that PLE, after seeing the success in South Africa in playing under COVID-19 restrictions, are seeking assistance and in consultation with the PSL on how they could start the 2020/21 season.

Speaking on national radio, the Eswatini Broadcasting and Information Services (EBIS) Sports Show yesterday morning, PLE Chief Operation Officer (COO) Pat Vilakati confirmed the news.

He said the PLE and PSL were in consultation, exchanging letters on how best they can implement the restart of football.

Drawn for comment on the latest, Vilakati said it was true that they were in consultations with South African football authorities.

implemented

“We are in talks with them, the Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the PSL Mato Madlala, as requested, furnished us with a detailed document on how they implemented the restart of football in South Africa for our preparation in doing the same,” said the COO.

According to Vilakati, as the EFA CEO Frederick Mngomezulu had earlier stated, they will analyse the document in the eight weeks preparatory period as per the roadmap to restart football after government had given the green light.