Burundi Premier League To Resume On May 21st

Burundi Premier League is set to resume from May 21, the Football Federation of Burundi (FFB) confirmed on Monday, May 5.

The league will become the first in Africa to resume following the coronavirus pandemic outbreak.

However, FFB said the season will resume under strict health protocols, with players not allowed to have pre-match handshakes.

The federation also announced that the teams will have to go into quarantined training camps before the restart.

The league was suspended two weeks ago with the federation citing the spread of the deadly virus in the East African country, although many pundits linked the stoppage to general elections which will be held on May 20.

Players, coaches and fans now have two weeks to get used to new rules around football in Burundi where they will have to be allowed in the stadiums after washing hands and temperature checks.

Burundi announced its first coronavirus cases on March 31, and its health ministry has since confirmed five cases of the virus.

Before the break, Le Messenger were on top of the table with 55 points from 27 games while Les Lierres are at the bottom with just 20 points from 27 games.

Meanwhile, neighbouring Tanzania has also announced its league will resume before the end of May but the matches will be played behind closed doors.

Players will be screened before the kickoff of any game to determine their health status in regard to coronavirus.

The need to take all precautionary measures necessary against the rapidly-spreading Covid-19 has forced sports bodies across the world to temporarily call off leagues and other competitions.