South African Football Association president Dr Danny Jordaan has thanked National Soccer League chairman Dr Irvin Khoza and his board of governors for finally putting in place a restart plan which is ‘safe and fair’.

Khoza announced on Monday that the league season will return on 8 August with the Nedbank Cup semi-finals kicking it all off before the league matches can resume on 12 August.

Mamelodi Sundowns, Bloemfontein Celtic, Bidvest Wits and Baroka FC are the four teams still in with a chance to win this year’s Nedbank Cup, while Kaizer Chiefs lead the PSL title race with Downs four points behind and a game in hand.

The four teams will be expected to enter the bio-bubble on 7 August, provided they comply with all the stringent measures put in place by the joint liaison committee and government.

Gauteng is the province to stage all the games, with 14 stadiums earmarked as training venues while 11 stadiums will be used as venues for competitive matches.

Safa president Jordaan thanked PSL chairman Dr Irvin Khoza and his board of governors for finally putting the matter to bed.

‘I would like to thank the NSL chairman and the entire BoGs for helping put this matter to rest,’ Jordaan told the association’s website.

Jordaan said the country will now get the chance to witness a fair conclusion to the season.

‘We will now witness the ultimate and fair conclusion to the current and unique season and I am sure the football-loving fans can’t wait for football to resume again,’ continued the country’s FA boss.

After rejecting the league’s proposed return date of 18 July due to the unavailability of match officials, Jordaan said everyone will be ready when football returns.

‘The match officials are getting into peak fitness and come August 8, it will be all systems go,’ concluded Jordaan.