AFCON
More COVID-19 cases hit Africa Cup of Nations teams
Four Cameroon players have tested positive for COVID-19, with the Africa Cup of Nations hosts set to kick off the tournament against Burkina Faso in just over a week’s time, the country’s football federation said on Friday.
Other teams preparing for the finals, which start on Jan. 9, also reported positive cases, with seven more in the Cape Verde Island squad and one for Morocco.
This adds to positive infections reported on Thursday by Algeria and the Ivory Coast, who have also been hard hit by a possible drug suspension for their first choice goalkeeper.
Sylvain Gbohouo, who plays in Ethiopia at Wolkite City, has been provisionally suspended by FIFA after testing positive for trimetazidine, a heart medication that the World Anti-Doping Agency categorises as a stimulant.
Meanwhile, Cameroon’s Eric Maxim Choupo Moting has been injured in training and is waiting to see if he can play.
The Bayern Munich player, expected to lead the attack for the hosts, suffered “a severe pain in his right knee” and underwent a scan, according to the Cameroon football federation.
It is awaiting the results, fearful that the 32-year-old striker might miss out.
Cameroon also said leading defender Michael Ngadeu Ngadjui, midfielder Pierre Kunde Malong, winger Christian Bassogog and back-up goalkeeper Jean Efala had all tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
Cape Verde, who have been preparing for the Cup of Nations at home, had already called off a friendly match against Morocco before reporting new cases in their camp on Friday.
A statement said the infected players had been isolated but were showing no symptoms, and that just 15 players were able to train on Friday.
Morocco defender Badr Benoun, a late addition to their squad, has had to postpone plans to join team mates training in the United Arab Emirates after returning a positive test.
On Thursday, the Ivory Coast said players arriving from Europe at their training camp in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, had tested positive and been put in quarantine by local authorities.
Algeria earlier this week said forwards Youcef Belaili and defenders Mohamed Amine Tougai and Houcine Benyada had tested positive at their training camp in Qatar.
-Reuters
Ghana’s Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign stuttered again as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Sudan at Accra Sports Stadium on Thursday.
Despite dominating possession and creating several chances, Ghana could not find a breakthrough.
The Black Stars now sit third in Group F with just two points from three matches, while Sudan’s point lifts them to second with four points.
Angola leads the group with six points from two games, while Niger is bottom with one point. Angola will face Niger on Friday.
In a frustrating match for Ghana, Mohammed Kudus and Iñaki Williams came closest to scoring, but Sudan’s defence, marshalled by goalkeeper Mohamed Al Mustafa, stood firm.
Ghana’s attacking players struggled to break down a resolute Sudanese side that managed to keep the game scoreless despite intense late pressure.
DR Congo maintained their perfect record in Group H of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier with a narrow 1-0 victory over Tanzania at Stade des Martyrs, thanks to a second-half own goal by Clement Mzize.
The mishap occurred in the 53rd minute when Mzize inadvertently deflected a Congo cross into his own net, giving the hosts a crucial lead.
This win propels DR Congo to nine points from three matches, firmly establishing them at the top of the group.
Tanzania, meanwhile, remains in second place with four points, while Ethiopia and Guinea, both yet to win a game, sit in third and fourth, respectively, ahead of their upcoming clash on Saturday.
The match was a tense affair, with Tanzania creating chances but failing to convert.
Mbwana Samatta and Feisal Salum tested the DR Congo defense, but the hosts stood strong, while Arthur Masuaku nearly doubled the lead for Congo, hitting the bar from a free-kick late in the second half.
The result leaves Tanzania needing a positive result in their next match to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Botswana secured a vital 1-0 away victory against Cape Verde in their Africa Cup of Nations Group C qualifier on Thursday, thanks to an early goal by Tumisang Orebonye.
The forward found the net just two minutes into the match, capitalizing on a quick break and a precise through ball from Kabelo Seakanyeng to send a powerful shot into the top corner.
The win lifts Botswana to three points, tying them with Cape Verde, who have also accumulated three points from three games.
Egypt tops the group with six points from two matches, while Mauritania, with one point, will play Egypt on Friday, hoping to close the gap.
Cape Verde pushed hard for an equalizer, dominating possession and creating numerous chances, but Botswana’s resolute defense, led by Goitseone Phoko in goal, held firm.
Fabrício Garcia and Jovane Cabral came close to scoring late in the game, but Botswana managed to see out the win, leaving Cape Verde frustrated as their hopes of advancing now hang in the balance.
Ghana’s problems complicated after goalless draw with Sudan
DR Congo edge Tanzania in Group H
Botswana stun Cape Verde
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