Tanzania this weekend became the first African country to resume a national league suspended during March because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The East African country suspended the 20-club national championship in mid-March as the COVID-19 outbreak began to wreak havoc throughout Africa.
The resumption of the league follows President Magufuli’s persistent claims that the country had beaten the coronavirus despite not providing data to prove it.
However, the resumption of the football league still saw some new measures that the league body had enforced.
The elderly and children who were generally vulnerable to the virus were not allowed into the football stadium.
Furthermore, wearing face masks was mandatory, and each fan had to have their temperature checked.
Then, they would also wash hands with soap or use a hand sanitizer before gaining access to the stadium.
Tanzania this weekend became the first African country to resume a national league suspended during March because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. https://t.co/9Ri7wAVLHz | #VisionUpdates pic.twitter.com/zGYIVeFfjY
— The New Vision (@newvisionwire) June 15, 2020
Young Africans, who have been champions a record 22 times, won 1-0 away to Mwadui and Coastal Union overcame a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 with visiting Namungo Saturday.
Runaway leaders Simba and Azam will both enjoy home advantage Sunday in the other two matches scheduled for this weekend.
Simba have 71 points with 10 matches to play, Azam and Young Africans share second place on 54 and Namungo lie fourth with 51.
Tanzania suspended the 20-club national championship in mid-March as the COVID-19 outbreak began to wreak havoc throughout Africa.
According to the Africa Centre for Disease Control on June 13, 225,126 people in Africa have been infected with 6,051 deaths.
Footballers, referees, coaches and support staff are subject to equally strict measures to combat the virus, and change rooms are fumigated before and after matches.
