Chiefs ask to postpone all games in December

Kaizer Chiefs have asked the Premier Soccer League to postpone all their games in December after an outbreak of the Covid-19 virus at Naturena has infected 31 players and staff.

Chiefs want Saturday’s game against Cape Town City, Wednesday’s clash with Lamontville Golden Arrows, and fixtures versus Sekhukhune FC (December 12) and Royal AM (December 22) postponed “to avoid risk of infection and further spread of the virus and allow those affected to recover and complete their quarantine period before they can play against other teams.”

It means, in effect, the club may not play again until February and the start of the Nedbank Cup Last 32 with the festive season break and a halt in the league for the Africa Cup of Nations to follow.

The team has closed their Naturena village and with so many players effected, say they cannot field a competitive team.

“We view this as a case of force majeure as what the Club is experiencing as a consequence of Covid and the protocols it is obliged to implement, is total beyond the control of the Club.

“The Club does not at the moment have sufficient players nor technical team to constitute a team. We have appealed to the League to seriously consider the matter for the sake of everyone’s health and safety because there are many other people involved in organising a game.

“The team will be closely monitored by our medical team, while we continue to maintain Covid risk mitigation protocols.”

It is likely the league will accept Chiefs’ request, with the club to have to add four games to an already congested second half of the season.