Less than 24 hours from the opening match of CAN 2021, which will oppose it this Sunday, January 9 in Cameroon, the Burkinabè team has recorded nearly 9 cases of Covid-19. The Stallions accuse CAF, claiming that they have not followed protocol. This evokes conspiracy theories.
From Cameroon’s correspondent
The opening match of CAN 2021 Cameroon–Burkina Faso is ruined by a Covid test story.
The case was made public at a press conference held before the match on Saturday, January 8. In front of the journalists, the assistant coach of Burkina Faso, Firmin Sanou, and the captain of the team, Bertrand Traoré, expressed their anger. They revealed what they consider the first CAN 2021 scandal.
At least five players as well as four members of technical staff at the Stallions were positive for Covid-19. But the Burkinabè delegation has doubts about the reliability of these results. She accuses CAF for not respecting the protocol. It is a scandal. We must review the organisation.shouted Bertrand Traoré.
Anti gene test instead PCR
The soap opera begins the next day. Firmin Sanou rewind: “Yesterday morning (Friday January 7, Editor’s Note), there is a medical team that showed up to our hotel to do the Covid-19 tests. We approached the CAF in an attempt to find out who sent this medical team. We were told by the CAF that no team had been sent to our hotel by them. ”
Therefore, the Stallions were refused to be taken. We had to wait. First, we had to wait until the afternoon. Then, the evening will see the CAF-recruited medical team show up.
“CAF said its medical team would arrive in the afternoon for the sample before we went to training. We waited, but finally the CAF medical team arrived at 11 p.m., Firmin Sanou point. Worse, reports Bertrand Traoré: “Instead of the PCR test, which should have been done in the morning to meet the 48-hour deadline, we were made to do anti-gene tests. We learn this morning that we have positive cases.“
Burkina Faso in turmoil
Firmin Sanou doesn’t hide his embarrassment. No name was given to the media. Burkina Faso’s assistant coach said that he would have to do without some executives against Cameroon. “It’s a pity and disturbing. He regrets. The group was prepared and the team was already starting to take shape. We learn within 24 hours that several of the incoming eleven executives will not be able to attend..“
The technician must clear several gray areas as quickly as possible with the CAF. He said: “The health protocol at CAF level provides that the Covid-19 tests be carried out 48 hours before the match. We took the test at 11:45 p.m., less 48 hours before the match. We would like to find out why. We also want to know who appointed the first medical staff. Lastly, why did we perform anti-gene testing instead of PCR?“
Kigoum WANDJI
Source: sportnewsafrica
