Jele: Everyone has a part to play in virus fight

Orlando Pirates defender Happy Jele says it is vital that everyone comes together to help contain the spread of the coronavirus.

While he would love to see soccer return to South Africa, the Orlando Pirates captain knows that it will only be possible once the pandemic has been brought under control.

As the country enters the second week of a 21-day lockdown, Jele has reinforced President Cyril Ramaphosa's call to take the virus seriously.

He told TimesLive: "This coronavirus pandemic is a serious matter for the world and it is up to all of us to play our part in helping the government to fight it and ultimately eradicate it from our country.

"Football is loved my many in our country‚ including myself‚ but what is important for us now is the lives of millions of people. Of course I would like to see the season completed at a later stage but for now our focus must be on working together to ensure that we contain the spread of this virus.

"The most important thing at the moment for everyone is to work together as citizens of this country to fight this virus."

Jele added: "It will be nice to finish the season in a proper way with a champion‚ top eight and relegated teams after 30 matches. If you look at the log standings now‚ teams have not played the same number of games and that is going to make things very difficult if the season is not completed.

"Our president Cyril Ramaphosa has issued an instruction that everyone‚ with the exception of essential service providers‚ must stay and home and we have to oblige."

- TEAMtalk media