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Mental strength will be key after this lockdown: Manyama

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Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs attacker Lebogang Manyama has emerged as a serious contender for the Premier Soccer League (PSL) Footballer of the Season award and the lockdown period has not dampened his spirit as they remain in chase of the Absa Premiership title.

Manyama has been one of the shining stars in the Chiefs team this season. The club went to this enforced break sitting four points clear at the top with eight games still to play this season.

They are chasing their first league title in five years.

In the sound below, Manyama says nothing has changed with their title aspirations:

Manyama’s stats for this season read: 26 matches, seven goals and nine assists in all competitions.

Just before the lockdown was enforced and the PSL suspended its programme indefinitely, second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns were scheduled to play Orlando Pirates and a win in that game was going to see them reducing the gap down to a point.

The lockdown has been enforced by government as they attempt to curb the spread of coronavirus in the country.

Manyama says mental strength will be key for football teams when PSL matches finally resume at a later stage.

Manyama, who hails from Alexandra in Johannesburg, says the fight against COVID-19 affects everyone including them as professional footballers and their families. He has urged everyone to adhere to the regulations around this lockdown.

The PSL is targeting to finish this season before the 30th of June, but only if the fight against coronavirus improves and that could be done behind closed doors.

The latest numbers as reported by the government revealed 1353 confirmed COVID-19 cases and five deaths.

Like most sports professionals, Manyama continues to train at home on his own, but he says it’s not the same.

In the sound below, the 29-year-old is pleading with everyone to stay at home.

Report by Velile Mnyandu

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