Coronavirus: Orlando Pirates midfielder Motshwari breaks silence since testing positive

The Randfontein-born player has thanked everyone for the support and confirmed he’s under strict medical surveillance

Orlando Pirates midfielder Ben Motshwari has spoken for the first time since testing positive for the coronavirus. 

Motshwari was confirmed positive with the virus last week but he remains asymptomatic.   

The 29-year-old first thanked everyone for the message of support and encouragement as he’s self-isolating at home in an attempt to recover from the virus.  

“I’d really like to thank everyone who has been supportive, sending me messages in the past few days; messages of encouragement [and] wishing me well. I really appreciate it and it really means a lot to me,” said Motshwari in a video posted by the club. 

The midfield kingpin confirmed that he’s under strict medical care and that he was doing well. 

He also encouraged all the fans to practice social distancing while also sanitising and wearing masks to protect themselves from contracting the coronavirus. 

“Currently, I’m under strict medical surveillance and I’m doing quite well under the circumstances.

“To all the fans, I’d really like to encourage them to practice their social distancing, keep on sanitizing your hands. Keep on wearing your masks,” he added. 

Motshwari is the first PSL player to be tested positive with Covid-19 and he will hope to recover before the fate of the 2019-20 season can be decided by the league. 

On Tuesday, both the PSL and the South African government will meet to discuss the risks and measures involved should football be allowed to return in the country. 

Countries such as France and the Netherlands have already cancelled their football seasons while the Premier League and Bundesliga have been given the green light to resume the season by their respective governments. 

It remains to be seen what both the PSL and the government will decide, especially with a confirmed case of a professional player. 

As things stand, the country is divided as to what should happen going forward as some believe the season should be cancelled and Kaizer Chiefs be declared champions while others are calling for the resumption of the season. 

Amakhosi top the standings with 48 points from 22 games, while Motshwari’s Pirates find themselves fourth on the log and eight points behind their nemesis having played a game more.   

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