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Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki says it has been a 'bad experience' without any football activity

Bafana Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki believes it's important to remain optimistic about the future of football in the country as the Covid-19 pandemic rages on.

Due to the pandemic, the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations have been postponed and will now only take place in 2022, instead of January next year.

"This does not come as a surprise because if you think about it, what is happening in South Africa is a clear indication of the real situation - there is currently no football. This goes to show just how difficult it is for everyone, especially on the continent," said Ntseki as quoted by SAFA website.

"To be honest we have no control because we are not medical personnel, but we are technical people, so we all act on the advice of health authorities.

"We know that some leagues around the world are on the go, but they had to go through stringent measures to be where they are today - the same will apply with us.

"By postponing tournaments, they are trying to see into the future and hoping for a better tomorrow as they don't want to put lives under threat.

"So, we basically have a year to start playing - depending of course on how the pandemic is dealt with over the coming weeks and months on the continent.

"At international level, we just have to stay positive. Yes, we would have loved to have played all our matches by now, but that is beyond our control - what is in our control is hope, hope for the future."

Meanwhile, the PSL is preparing to resume the 2019/20 season in an isolated "bio bubble" to ensure players and staff are not exposed to the virus.

"It has been a really bad experience without the game for so long, and now we edging ever so close to the resuming action," he added.

"Depending on how much time they are given to prepare for the league, it is going to be energy sapping for them as their fitness levels will be at their lowest for the type of athletes they are.

"This is a horror experience for coaches and players alike not being on the field. The reality is that when the games start, they will be playing back-to-back matches and that could be demanding on them."

- TEAMtalk media

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