This archive report was first published on 27 June 2020.
South Africa's richest football league, the Premiership, is set to resume in mid-July after a three-month hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, the restart comes as a concern after seven positive coronavirus cases were reported at four clubs, including Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.
Orlando Pirates midfielder Ben Motshwari was the first player to be infected with the COVID-19 disease and has made a full recovery.
Another midfielder, Given Mashikinya from Bloemfontein Celtic, also tested positive and is in quarantine.
Two unnamed Kaizer Chiefs players and three unidentified non-playing members of the Stellenbosch FC staff are also in self-isolation.
According to a Chiefs statement, the affected players will be in self-isolation for 14 days and will be retested after the isolation period.
Stellenbosch FC is assisting its staff members to recover as safely and speedily as possible and mitigate the risk of exposure to other employees.
South Africa's health minister, Zweli Mkhize, warned this week that 'the worst is yet to come' as the country's COVID-19 cases continue to rise.
As of late Friday, 124,590 cases of COVID-19 infection had been recorded with 2,340 deaths from the disease in the most industrialised African country.
The government has given the go-ahead for the Premiership to resume, with a prize money of 40 million rand ($2.3 million/2 mn euro) on offer.
Clubs have between six and nine fixtures to fulfil in the 30-round season, with reports suggesting a mid-July resumption.
Pitso Mosimane, coach of defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns, says the 16 clubs will need a minimum of three weeks to prepare for the restart of the league.
According to Premiership chairman Irvin Khoza, all matches will be played in one of the nine South African provinces, with Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal reportedly the favourites.
Finishing the season in one province is the best option health-wise, as it will enable the league to control the environment.
