South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) side Orlando Pirates have confirmed midfielder Ben Motshwari has tested positive for coronavirus. He becomes officially the first PSL player to be infected.
The Orlando Pirates midfielder has been one of the clubs most used players this season and has been placed on a two-week self-isolation by the team.
“Orlando Pirates Football Club can confirm that Ben Motshwari has tested positive for COVID-19,” read a statement from Orlando Pirates on Thursday.
“Ben was presented with flu-like symptoms last week and after undergoing tests, his results have come back positive. The player is asymptomatic and is currently in-home isolation for the next 14 days. He will need to test negative before he is cleared.”
“In accordance with relevant protocols, NHI has been notified of the case by the Club. The health and wellbeing of our players, officials, and the wider community remains our highest priority in this difficult time.
“The Club has also advised that the player must notify the doctors of all the people that he has been in contact with to ensure that they also get tested. We urge everybody to continue practising safe and healthy measures to contain and mitigate the spread of the infection.
“Always wash your hands; wear masks in public and always remember to practice social distancing,”
The Bucs are now looking to trace the midfielders contacts from the previous two weeks to determine the possible extent of spread within Motshwari’s circle and possibly within the football team.
“The Club has also advised that the player must notify the doctors of all the people that he has been in contact with to ensure that they also get tested,” the statement further noted.
Meanwhile, 21-year old Sphephelo Sithole who is based in Portugal and plays for Primeira Liga side Belenenses SAD was the first South African footballer to test positive for the coronavirus earlier this week.
The 2019/2020 PSL season was suspended indefinitely due to the outbreak of Covid-19 two months ago. With no resumption date in sight, football’s suspension in South Africa might be extended with Ben Motshwari testing positive.