Footballers tested for coronavirus
By Amos Abuga, May 12, 2021
Twenty-five players each from Gor Mahia, Mathare United, KCB, Bidco United, Kariobangi Sharks, Posta Rangers and Kakamega Homeboyz yesterday underwent mandatory Covid-19 tests.
The tests are among the key requirements by the Ministries of Sports and Health before they can okay resumption of the top-flight league which had initially been set for today.
According to the fixtures released last week by FKF, 13-time champions AFC Leopards were to host Mathare United at Kasarani, while Wazito were to face off with 19-time champions Gor Mahia later at the same venue.
Gor Mahia midfielder Kenneth Muguna was one of the players who got tested.
“I want to believe undergoing the tests will enable those concerned to speed up the process of resuming football in the country,” said the Harambee Stars midfielder after undergoing the exercise at Ligi Ndogo grounds on Ngong Road,” said Muguna.
“Nobody foresaw a situation where the league would have been cancelled completely.
Even before sporting activities were banned in the country last month, I think the league managers had shown they can conduct the matches with the tough Covid-19 measures put in place.”
The player added that his club still has a realistic chance of winning the league for a record time despite a slow start in the first leg of the season.
Tusker are currently top of the standings with 36 points from 26 matches, 14 more than Gor Mahia in seventh place though having played two games less.
“Gor Mahia just like any other team is there to fight for glory. I know we have struggled to get results which is normal in football, but we have it all to fight for in the second leg,” said Muguna.
According to a letter sent to all the FKF-PL club chairmen, FKF set aside Tuesday and Wednesday to carry out the Covid-19 tests where every team was required to present 25 players and 10 officials.
“In accordance with the Ministry of Health, all BetKing Premier League clubs must be tested for Covid-19 before the planned league kick-off date,” read the letter signed by FKFCEO Barry Otieno. The rest of the teams will be tested today.