Coronavirus: Orlando Pirates midfielder Motshwari tests positive

Orlando Pirates midfielder Ben Motshwari has tested positive for the coronavirus according to a statement on the club's official website.

The 29-year-old player becomes the first Premier Soccer League (PSL) player to test positive for the virus.

Bucs released a statement which detailed the measures taken to protect those who had been in close contact with Motshwari, who is one of their key players.

"Orlando Pirates Football Club can confirm that Ben Motshwari has tested positive for Covid-19."

"Ben was presented with flu-like symptoms last week and after undergoing tests, his results have come back positive. The player is asymptomatic and is currently in-home isolation for the next 14 days. He will need to test negative before he is cleared."

"In accordance with relevant protocols, NHI has been notified of the case by the Club. The health and wellbeing of our players, officials, and the wider community remains our highest priority in this difficult time.

"The Club has also advised that the player must notify the doctors of all the people that he has been in contact with to ensure that they also get tested. We urge everybody to continue practising safe and healthy measures to contain and mitigate the spread of the infection.

"Always wash your hands; wear masks in public and always remember to practice social distancing," a club statement read on Thursday.

The 2019/20 PSL season was suspended indefinitely due to Covid-19 in March 2020.

Portugal-based midfielder Sphephelo Sithole became the first South African footballer to test positive for the coronavirus earlier this week.

The 21-year-old starlet is currently on the books of Primeira Liga side Belenenses SAD.

The South African Football Association (Safa) and PSL have been working together to ensure that football resumes in the country and the 2019/20 season is completed.

Safa recently mandated both Dr Danny Jordaan and Dr Irvin Khoza to represent the Joint Liaison Committee (JLC) in a meeting with Minister of Health Dr Zweli Mkhize and Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula. 

Both Jordaan and Khoza will discuss possible starting dates for the resumption of football matches in their meeting with Mbalula and Mkhize.