Coronavirus: How foreign-based stars are coping with disruption of football leagues

“It’s a challenge of course, not only for me but for many people here in Japan. But we are coping with it and following keenly the instructions given by the medical staff from the club,” Olunga told Standard Sports.

“Our league was stopped four weeks ago and it helped a lot because so far no J League team has recorded a positive case of Covid-19.

“Of course the rhythm of football has been disrupted by the outbreak of the virus. It has slowed the momentum, but if you look at it, on the other hand, it’s for the best interest of everyone. So, we will continue keeping fit and wait for the right moment to resume.”

Even though they have already resumed training, the former Djurgårdens IF (Sweden) and Gor Mahia man says the club has tightened restrictions at the training ground and that everyone is acting sensibly and in line with government’s guidance.

“We are training as a team on weekdays and then rest on weekends. We have to stay fit because nobody knows when the resumption date is.

“I also try and train extra because you know now everything is slow. So the training tempo is not the same as the training during game period,” said Olunga.

Asked on how Japan, one of the most affected countries in Asia, has been handling the situation, he said: “With Japan recording over a thousand cases, the public reaction has been really positive and have followed the government orders and so many Covid-19 patients have recovered.

"Therefore, I would like to advise Kenyans to try and emulate the same; be cautious and strictly follow government directives.”

Olunga further termed the decision of the Confederation of African Football (Caf) to indefinitely suspend the 2021 Afcon qualifiers which had been scheduled for March 25-31 as a wise one.

The cancellation provided a reprieve for the lanky striker as he was doubtful for the two-legged match between Harambee Stars and Comoros originally slated for March 25 in Nairobi and March 29 in Moroni.

But in Sweden, Eric Ouma’s AIK Fotball has cancelled its training sessions with players given individual training programmes.

“The government’s priority here is to keep everyone safe from the virus. The only challenge is that there are no activities at the moment. It has become very hard to cope with the situation as we are not able to do what we love,” said Ouma. “We are keeping fit remotely after being given tailor-made individual training programmes. The club has cancelled the training.

“And for my fellow Kenyans back home, this virus is real. The best preventive measure is to stay at home and follow government guidelines. No one should defy the orders. Let’s do this together and save lives,” added Ouma.

But just like Ouma, IF Elfsborg (Sweden) defender Joseph Okumu has had to confine to his house and train indoors following the suspension of the league.

“It has really been difficult here since the league was suspended. We are confined in our houses and forced to train indoors. We can’t go out and work out as usual,” said Okumu.

Though the Zambian Premier League has also been called off, Zesco United the home of Kenyan trio of John Makwata, David Owino and Jesse Were is yet to close its training facilities.

In the Major League Soccer (MSL), Victor Wanyama’s club Impact Montreal has sent training equipment (stationery bikes) to all it’s players’ residences after a lockdown at the Centre Nutrilait.

The players are working out from the confines of their homes after MSL suspended the league and ordered for the closure of all training facilities.

“Our fitness trainer Jules has given us all a programme to follow,” Montreal goalkeeper Evan Bush was quoted on the club’s website.

And for Harambee Starlets midfielder Corazone Aquino, who recently joined Portuguese side Atletico Ouriense, the pandemic is turning their daily life upside down.

“My request to all Kenyans is to keep safe by remaining home and adhering to government guidelines.”