Burkina Faso have urged not to play the opening game of the 33rd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations against hosts Cameroon on Sunday.
About five players and coach Kamou Malo Saturday tested positive in the run-up to Sunday’s opener against hosts Cameroon.
According to Burkinabè Football Federal, they want the Covid-19 tests to be redone by independent doctors in the presence of their medical staff as they suspect some manipulation in the first done on Sunday night which shows nine members, including five players and the head coach has tested positive for the COVID 19 virus.
During the pre-match press conference, the assistant coach of the Stallions Firmin Sanou already argued that his players who had been declared positive for the virus were not positive.
“We cannot be told at the eve of the game that they (players) are positive. This is unacceptable,” Sanou said, adding that: “Officials need to think and bring a transparent team from CAF to come and conduct the tests so that we will be sure the players will not participate in the match.”
Skipper Bertrand Traore has deplored as “a scandal” coronavirus testing procedures at the Africa Cup of Nations. The Aston Villa forward told a press conference in Yaounde on Saturday: “It’s a scandal, we cannot be deprived of first-team players 24 hours before the match.”
Traore said: “The authorities must review the organization. We cannot accept this decision. We can redo tests of our positive players.”