The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
MUTARE domestic Premiership duo of Manica Diamonds and Tenax players were tested for Covid-19 on Tuesday and both teams started training yesterday (Thursday) as preparations for resumption of football action gather momentum.
Just like most of the clubs from the first round of tests, Manica Diamonds and Tenax are understood to have recorded 100 percent clean bills of health.
The Premier Soccer League have imposed a fine of US$250 for clubs that do not reveal Covid-19 results and statistics.
Manica Diamonds chairman, Masimba Chihowa, said they are happy with how the Covid-19 testing process progressed and will now concentrate on players’ fitness through training sessions.
The Chancellor Junior School head, said they are now waiting for PSL signal on the dates for resumption of actual competitive matches.
“We are happy with how the Covid-19 testing process progressed. We tested a total of 40 players. This includes all players that we had from the previous season.
“Unfortunately, we are not at liberty to disclose the results of the tests as per PSL regulations. We are resuming training as per schedule on Thursday (yesterday). We are geared to ensure that our players are fit after this lengthy layoff.
“We are now waiting to hear from the PSL management on the resumption of actual competitive matches. We hope by the time competitions start we will be more than ready for it,” said Chihowa.
His Tenax FC opposite number, Stefani Masina, said: “We did our testing on Tuesday and we managed to test all players and technical staff to bring the total number to 48.
“We faced no challenges in the process and we are now submitting the relevant information to PSL. We are starting training on Thursday (yesterday). Everyone (the players) is raring to go and itching to return to the field of play.”
Harare army outfit, Black Rhinos were the first to have their players tested and they conducted their first session last week on Wednesday.
Media reports indicate that the majority of the clubs are testing an average of 50 members, who include players, technical team members and club officials.
Clubs are only supposed to forward the results to the relevant medical and league offices and not to other parties.
Dynamos and Highlanders are expected to mark the return of football action when they partake in the Uhuru Cup next Sunday.
The league has proposed to have the elite league return under a cluster competition, which will be hosted in four cities, with teams playing in groups.
This will cut costs for the clubs who will not be getting any gate takings this year.
Some clubs are still in the process to sign more players.
Player registration was extended to April 15.
According to the proposals made by the PSL, clubs will be placed under four groups.
Group One will have CAPS United, Dynamos, Harare City, Herentals, Yadah and ZPC Kariba.
Group Two will have Bulawayo Chiefs, Bulawayo City, Chicken Inn, and Highlanders.
Group Three — which is highly likely to be playing at Sakubva Stadium — will have Manica Diamonds, Tenax, Harare army teams Black Rhinos and Cranborne Bullets.
Zvishavane will have the fourth group featuring FC Platinum, Ngezi Platinum Stars, Triangle United and Whawha.
