Morakinyo Abodunrin, Sport Editor
NIGERIA youth internationals Taiwo Awoniyi and Bernard Bulbwa has both raised concerns on the Coronavirus pandemic since it has affected the beautiful game of football globally.
Since the outbreak of Coronavirus otherwise known as Covid-19 in December , football leagues around the world had been shut down and the two former Flying Eagles said the game will not be the same even after the infectious virus is contained.
“ This present situation is not okay for anyone as many things are put on hold here ,” the well-built 22-year-old striker currently on a season-long loan to Mainz 05 in the German Bundesliga told NationSport. “We all find ourselves just staying indoor by following the instructions given by the medical practitioners .
“ We are all fighting for our safety ; many lives have been lost all over the world and many have also lost so much in business and sport especially football which brings happiness to millions of people around the world has suffered so much.
“Everything depends on the Bundesliga board going forward; everyone is given indoor work out here at my club in order to keep fit and we can only this ends soon so that things can get back to normal,” noted the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup winner with the Golden Eaglets in 2013.
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Yet Awoniyi said there are still positives to be taken from Covid-19 , adding love other than ego should be the bedrock of all relationships.
“ I think there is a blessing in disguise with Covid-19 because it shows that we can never let go of God in our affairs,” noted the 2015 winner of the U-20 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).“I hope when this end , we can all love each other more because all human races have been affected by Covid-10).”
Speaking in the same vein, Bulbwa who is currently attached with NK Dugopolje in Croatia, said Covid-19 has affected not only football but living in the Eastern European country.
“ Everything here has been shut down for the past three weeks and there is no movement at all except for those going to hospitals or when we need to pick things at the grocery stores,” explained the 23-year-old who scored the only goal that helped the Flying Eagles win the 201 U-20 AFCON following the 1-0 defeat of Senegal in the final. “It is my prayers that Covid-19 is defeated because I want to really put my career back on track.”
A combination of hard luck and injury has stalled Bulbwa’s progress since 2015 when he was awarded the goal of the tournament at the U-20 AFCON in Senegal, and the former Esperance of Tunisia midfielder has enthused about the prospect of turning around his career.
“ My focus right now is to see the end of Covid-19 because it is worrisome that many people are dying from the virus ; but I have strong belief that everything will soon be back to normal,” explained Bulbwa who had stint with Moroccan side Mouloudia Oujda before moving to Europe. “ Once all this is over, I want to work hard so that I can have the opportunity of helping my club and opportunity of playing in the first division in the coming season.”
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