Nafuzi fine with postponement but not cancellation

Nafuzi: ‘We have no issues if MFL want to impose stricter rules. We will follow.’

PETALING JAYA: Terengganu coach Nafuzi Zain is keeping his fingers crossed on the fate of the Super League.

He can stomach a postponement but not a cancellation.

It is learnt that the Malaysian Football League will be making an announcement this week.

The league is scheduled to start on Feb 26 but with the movement control order extended until Feb 4 due to the rise of Covid-19 cases, teams have stopped training and will now rely on online training to keep themselves in shape.

Nafuzi said teams were prepared to undergo stricter standard operating procedure to get the season underway.

“I’m okay if the league is delayed but it must go on, one should not even think of cancelling it,” said Nafuzi.

“We have no issues if MFL want to impose stricter rules. We will follow.”

Based on the limited time to train, Nafuzi foresees the league to be postponed.

“We will have time to prepare if the MCO is lifted before Feb 4. But if it starts immediately after the MCO, I’m worried for my players. They may not be ready in terms of fitness and conditioning and may get injured.”

Before training was stopped, Nafuzi said he was satisfied with the progress shown by the debutants.

The Turtles have signed several new players like Asnan Ahmad, Nik Akif Syahiran, Shahrul Nizam Ros Hani, Arif Anwar, Faisal Halim, Azarul Nazareth, Hakimi Abdullah, Carlie De Murga, Chris Herd, Petrus Shitembi and David Da Silva.

“In the beginning, they struggled a little to adapt to our system, but as weeks progressed, they got better.

“Also, the chemistry between the local and foreign players is getting better.

“It’s unfortunate that we have to start all over when the MCO is lifted. Online training is not as good as field practice,” he mulled.