South Africa’s Minister of Sport Nathi Mthethwa believes it is crucial that the South African Football Association (SAFA) and the Premier Soccer League (PSL) work together.
The PSL are eager to get the 2019/20 season back underway in order to find out who will lift the trophy and which teams will be promoted and relegated.
Meanwhile, SAFA have firmly stated that there will be no football unless the government gives the go-ahead following the lockdown regulations that were given to South Africa to help curb the coronavirus.
Mthethwa has warned that the best way forward is for both governing bodies to be on the same page when it comes to solutions, in case playing football during lockdown becomes a possibility.
Mthethwa is due to hold a meeting with both Safa president, Dr Danny Jordaan, and PSL chairperson, Irvin Khoza, as well as Kaizer Motaung, on a way forward but says there are mixed signals coming from the two bodies about the resumption of the sport.
“We want to engage their wise counsel on their thoughts on the reopening of the lockdown with our own risk-adjusted strategy, as government,” he said.
“They must counsel me, both of them (Jordaan and Khoza). And I emphasise, it would be advisable that, as government, we get one voice from them.”
Mthethwa added: “My final message to both is, they are occupying an important space in society in regard to football, so as the Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, I would nudge them to work together at all material times in regard to football.”
League leaders Kaizer Chiefs are in the hunt for their first trophy in five years, four points clear of defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns who have a game in hand.
