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For any devoted fan, going days without being able to watch live football is akin to a patient missing treatments for a chronic ailment.
That’s how it is for South Africa’s iconic supporters, Botha Msila of Bloemfontein Celtic and his Orlando Pirates counterpart, Dinah “Lady D” Matli.
The pair’s faces were regular features at matches at local stadiums until the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic brought the world to a standstill, including all sports competitions.
Ironically, the current situation coincided with Msila having taken a “break” from attending away games. Until now, though, South Africans have been accustomed to seeing the 44-year-old at almost every PSL match, apart from his beloved Celtic.
“Life under lockdown is tough, but we’re coping because we’re following the rules,” Msila told City Press this week.
“Before the lockdown, my decision to take a break from attending all the matches wasn’t easy. The last one I attended was the Telkom Knockout final between Sundowns and Maritzburg United [in Durban on December 14],” explained Msila, who’s known by his trademark white shower cap complemented by green and white overalls.
He still attended Celtic home matches, though.
“Our kids are surprised that we’re home for a change. But it’s important to teach them why it’s important not to go out during the time of the coronavirus.”
Msila said he’d been passing time by watching old footage of matches involving Celtic, which he said had turned him into a better analyst of the game.
“It expands my knowledge watching these old videos,” chuckled the former taxi rank marshal.
For Matli, the reality of the current situation hit home when the PSL confirmed the indefinite suspension of matches last month, including Bucs’ epic game against Sundowns, which was initially scheduled to take place at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on March 17.
The postponement of the league programme also forced the mother of two from Seshego township in Limpopo to cancel her flight and accommodation bookings in Cape Town, where Pirates would have faced Cape Town City this month.
“Yes, it’s a strange feeling to go weeks without live football, but avoiding the virus is far more important at this stage,” said Matli, who’s equally easily recognised by her “Lady DL” registration number on her customised helmet.
The only other time she’s missed a Pirates match was when she was on maternity leave in 2018. Her daughter will turn two this coming week.
“My kids are pleasantly surprised that I haven’t been going to work or attending football matches lately. I’ve also explained to them why they’re not going to school,” said Matli.
She’s a manager in a provincial community services department in Polokwane, where she frequently takes leave to attend Pirates’ away matches.
Matli, who runs a printing business on the side, said she spent up to R35 000 a season, mostly on travel and accommodation.
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