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Cyprus-based Kenyan duo of goalkeeper Anette  Kundu and defender Ruth Ingosi, who play for Lakatamia FC after signing from Eldoret Falcons, are excited at the prospect of returning to training in two weeks time after the country started to open up following more than a month of lockdown.  

The duo joined the country’s top tier league in January after landing three-year contracts following their exploits at last year’s Olympics qualifiers and Cecafa championship with Harambee Starlets.  

As the national team lifted her maiden Cecafa title,  Kundu won the golden glove after brilliant saves that helped Starlets bag the title.  She did not concede a goal in the championship held in Tanzania.  

Until yesterday morning,  Cyprus had 864 Covid-19 confirmed cases,  296 recoveries and 20 deaths since recording their first case on March 10.  

As part of the gradual return to normalcy,  individual athletes can restart training in open-air facilities today (May 4) while athletes in team sports can start practising together two weeks later, although locker rooms will remain off-limits.

“Things are returning to normal and we are glad that we will be back in training in two weeks’ time. This break has affected our plans and where we had envisioned to be in terms of fitness.

We had made considerable progress but that was disrupted. We, however, are happy to be getting back to training,” the soft spoken Kundu told Milele FM’s Vincent Voiyoh in an interview. 

Cyprus’ restrictions on movement will start to be rolled back today, with the maximum number of allowed excursions outside the home increased from once per day to three. 

A nighttime curfew will remain in place until restrictions are completely lifted on May 21, when restaurants, hair and beauty salons will also reopen.

“It has been really hard to keep fit while restricted to the house. We only managed stretches and that is not enough for the kind of training our bodies need.  Things opening up gives me hope.

While I am committed to my club for the next three years,  my dream remains to feature in the Women’s English Premier League with Chelsea and Liverpool top of my list,” added former Ibinzo Girls player Kundu.  

Ingosi meanwhile, expressed gratitude to all who helped her in her football journey to landing a first professional deal.

“It was difficult being indoors and we really missed Kenya,  our friends and family but the chance to go back to training gives me hope that this pandemic will pass and we will go back to our normal lives,” said Ingosi.