Mugabi on pandemic life in Scotland

by Graeme Jackson

Sunday Dec 13, 2020. 14:00

Uganda international and Motherwell defender Bevis Mugabi has described how he has adapted to the ‘new normal’ of life under coronavirus restrictions in Scotland.

The 25-year-old, who used to play for Yeovil Town and has been on the books of Motherwell since 2019, told how missing out on a big festive celebration is a bit of a downer.

“Christmas nights out or dinners are all part of the team morale and it’s important you all celebrate Christmas, especially this year when there isn’t a winter break,” Mugabi told his club’s official website.

“It would have been nice to have something to look forward to but obviously doesn’t look like any chance of that happening.

“These nights out are normally always good. There was one in particular at Yeovil Town which I can’t go into too much detail about. Nobody got arrested but it was a good night! It’s become the new norm for us being in our little bubble.”

The Cranes defender expanded on how lockdown regulations have affected even the regimented lives of footballers.

“It’s literally going to training, come back, go to the supermarket, then come home to your flat. It has been very different as normally we have a little Starbucks group that go for coffee after training but that’s not happening obviously,” he explained. “We’ve had to adapt but we’ve done it quite well.”

Mugabi added that he expects to return for Uganda when they resume their Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in March 2021, having missed out on their recent double header against South Sudan.

“I was meant to go away in the last international break but couldn’t because of my dislocated shoulder, so hopefully I’ll be back in March,” he explained.

“There’s a lot of internationalists in the defence and it’s good for the club. They are getting the credit of having us playing there and it shows to everyone you can get that recognition at Motherwell.”