Botswana referee Joshua Bondo has risen to become one of the leading match officials on the African continent, and like everyone else associated with the game, he is eager to see football back on the pitch. But that can only happen once conditions allow and in the battle against the coronavirus pandemic, Bondo has some
They may not be part of the COSAFA region, but the return of league football in Burundi on Thursday offers some hope to Southern African nations that their turn might not be too far away. Burundi will be the first African nation to resume matches in their local league with a catch-up fixture between Musongati
Tying in with the success of the COSAFA initiative to create awareness around the coronavirus pandemic, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a continent-wide campaign to educate fans, partnering with Senegal-based Speak Up Africa. CAF will spread their message through the Stay Safe Africa campaign, which seeks to empower communities and individuals to
Football leagues around the world are still contemplating how to finish their seasons, while others have already called time on the 2019/20 campaign. Here is a round-up of the situation in each of the COSAFA member associations as football waits patiently for a return when it is safe to do so. ANGOLA The 2019/20 Girabola
National team coach Adel Amrouche has thanked the people of Botswana for an exceptional adherence to the measures put in place by the landlocked country’s health departments in its fight against the coronavirus pandemic. He said Batswana are on the right track and are doing well by adhering to the COVID-19 mitigation protocols set by
Mauritius referee Ahmad Heeralall is one of the rising stars of the continent and like many football fans, players and coaches, is eager to see games back on the pitch when it is safe to do so. He has been a big part of recent continental qualifiers and finals tournaments, taking charge of the five-goal
South African referee Akhona Makalima has a strong message for fans to follow government guidelines to save lives and get football back under way across the COSAFA region. Makalima, who was the only female referee on the Premier Soccer League panel, is a rising star of African officiating and has also performed on CAF and
Top Zambian referee Janny Sikazwe is used to keeping an eye on some of the world’s top footballers, but he now has a message for fans from across the COSAFA region in the battle against the coronavirus. Sikazwe is one of the most respected referees from the African continent, and he officiated at two matches
Orlando Pirates midfielder Ben Motshwari became the first player from the COSAFA region to test positive for the coronavirus last week and is currently having treatment at home. Motshwari’s positive test was announced by his club just as the Premier Soccer League and South African Football Association plot a way back to playing in the
Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) General Secretary Adrian Kashala says they are hopeful that football may be able to resume soon as government relaxes restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic. FAZ have long stated that their aim is to finish the 2019/20 Super League season on the pitch, with a thrilling finish to the campaign
