SA-based players relieved
Relief was the prevalent emotion for Malawian players based in South Africa when the Premier Soccer League (PSL) announced that football will resume on August 8.
The PSL has seven other Malawian players, namely Limbikani Mzava (Highlands Park), Frank ‘Gabadinho’ Mhango (Orlando Pirates), Gerald Phiri Jnr and Richard Mbulu (Baroka FC), Robert Ng’ambi (Black Leopards), Dennis Chembezi and Khuda Muyaba (Polokwane City) while Chawanangwa Kawonga (TS Sporting) plays in the second-tier GladAfrica Championship.
Mzava and Phiri said they were delighted with the news.
Said Mzava in an interview from his Johannesburg base yesterday: “I just don’t know how to put it, suffice to say I am very excited with the news.
“It was frustrating spending all these five months without playing football and being kept in suspense. So, yes, I can’t wait to return to action.”
On his part, Phiri said: “It has been a long wait and thank God that we now have a fixed date for football’s return.
“It really feels good although we’ll have to play in empty stadia which will obviously take away the rhythm.”
PSL chairperson Irvin Khoza on Monday confirmed that football will return in the Rainbow Nation with the Nedbank Cup semi-finals being the first fixtures on the new calendar.
“We have informed our broadcasters and stakeholders of the return on the 8th of August.
“We have informed the Gauteng authorities as the province that will be hosting the matches. I phoned the president of South Africa Football Association [Danny Jordaan] to inform him that we are resuming on the 8th of August,” he was quoted as having said by kickoff.com.
Khoza added: “This is a historic moment. At this point in time I can gladly announce that 8th of August is a definite goal for the Absa Premiership and GladAfrica Championship.
“It’s all systems go.”
