10 April 2020 – Former Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs defender Morgan Gould has detailed his life at home during lockdown in South Africa, and why it is important that all football fans do their bit to halt the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

Gould currently plays for Stellenbosch FC in South Africa’s Premier Soccer League, having spent almost 20 years plying his trade in the country’s elite league.

The 37-year-old is high on experience and know-how, but still has the ambition to keep on playing, and says he is doing his best to stay in shape and be ready for the call to return to action.

“We have our programmes that we work on at home, which have been given to us by the club. We take videos of the work we do and get rated on those, so it is quite intense,” Gould says.

“It is obviously not the same as being at training, but you have to make the best of the situation, and do what you can.

“I am also at home with my kids, so I am helping them with their schoolwork and that kind of thing.”

Gould also has a message for fans and says they must do the right thing in respecting South Africa’s lockdown, so that everybody can get back to normal life sooner rather than later.

“COVID-19 is real, the more we put our essential workers at risk, the more we put their loved ones at risk.

“If we really want to look after our essential workers, let’s do the right thing and stay at home. Let’s flatten the curve.”

You can watch Morgan Gould’s video message here!

Fans should adhere to the guidelines laid out by the World Health Organisation in the bid to combat the coronavirus outbreak, which include:

Wash your hands frequently: Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.

Maintain social distancing: Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.

Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth: Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.

Practice respiratory hygiene: Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.

If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early: Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority.

(source: COSAFA.com)