Bosses and Pirates face major CAF debacle in light of new COVID-19 variant

Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates face uncertainty about their upcoming CAF Champions League and Confederations Cup return matches due to revised COVID-19 restrictions in Angola.

Both Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates faced Angolan rivals in the form of Primeiro de Agosto and Segrada Esperanca in the second round of CAF interclub football.

Kaizer Chiefs drew scoreless against Primeiro de Agosto in their first leg at FNB Stadium, while Orlando Pirates earned a 1-0 away win in Angola against Segrada Esperanca.

Both teams are preparing for their return matches with Kaizer Chiefs as they will travel to Angola to face their opponents during the first week of January, while Segrada is supposed to travel to South Africa from Angola prior to their clash against Orlando Pirates. .

Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates face major debacle

The revised travel restrictions in light of the new variant of COVID-19 mean that South Africans are prohibited from entering Angola, while TAAG Angolan Airlines, Angola’s main airline, also suspended flights to South Africa leaving uncertainty around the Kaizer Chiefs travel plans.

“Limited international travel is allowed. The following persons or reasons for travel are permitted from outside Australia, Nigeria, South Africa and the United Kingdom as of 11:59 p.m. on December 26: residents [local and foreign] arrivals or departures, departures of foreigners, official travelers, cargo and humanitarian transport, medical emergencies, diplomatic transport and technical stopovers ”, confirmed the Angolan government.

“Anyone entering the country must comply with a mandatory home quarantine period of at least seven days. Symptomatic individuals may be required to self-quarantine in a government-run facility. The land and sea borders will remain closed until further notice, except for humanitarian and cargo transport. “

While it remains to be seen whether a special concession will be awarded to Kaizer Chiefs to travel to Angola, traveling across the continent has undoubtedly become even more challenging for our local teams with South Africa registering a high number of new COVID-19 cases. variant.

The Kaizer Chiefs will face Primeiro de Agosto on January 5 and will look to leave the country well in advance of their decisive clash, however their safety and the safety of their opponents will finally take precedence.