Swazi Observer

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WE ARE GETTING RUSTY - LOCAL FOOTBALLERS

By COLISILE SACOLO | 2021-02-23

Elite league players have decried that they are getting rusty by each passing day due to the continuous football absence in the country. The top flight football players stated that they understood government’s effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the country. This comes after government last week extended the partial lockdown by two weeks. Moneni Pirates captain Menzi 'Magawugawu' Simelane said the extension of the lockdown was affecting them in terms of fitness and shape. "The extension of the lockdown is affecting us as players because it’s already two months since we last played the beautiful game. the more the lockdown is extended, the more we get affected. However, I am oblivious of the fact that all the measures are put in place to protect lives.” Meanwhile, Mbabane Swallows winger Wonder ‘Samba Jive' Nhleko said it was true that as players they were becoming rusty, but they do not blame government’s decisions aimed at saving lives. "It is true that as professional players we should not spend such a long time without playing football and at the same time we can’t risk lives while playing," said Nhleko. Also adding his weight was Mbabane Highlanders player Sabelo 'Sawa' Gamedze, who said their situation was unbearable as they had been inactive for a long time now. "The extension of the lockdown was a good decision but we cannot run away from the fact that we are affected as the individual trainings are not helping in anyway. we are used to training as a team,” he said. Green Mamba’s Thokozani Mkhulisi shared the same sentiments with the other players. Mkhulisi acknowledged government’s decision to extend the lockdown to curb the spread of the virus. The players’ concerns come after the current MTN Premier League campaign was halted with only two games into the new season.

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