The final AFCON qualification encounter between Sierra Leone and Benin Republic will now take place during the June international window, the Confederation of African Football (Caf) announced on Tuesday.
The Group L clash which was billed for Tuesday, March 30 in Freetown was postponed due to a reported COVID-19 controversy.
“The Africa Cup of Nations organizing committee has decided to postpone the above-mentioned match to the next Fifa international window scheduled for June 2021. We thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding,” a post from Benin Football Federation Facebook page read.
It was reported that Benin Republic star player Steve Mounie, alongside five others had contracted the virus. However, the Squirrels did not accept the results produced by their hosts, insisting the tests taken 72 hours earlier turned out negative.
“We arrived at the stadium in Sierra Leone to learn that—bizarrely—five starters have Covid. What a comedy sketch!” defender Emmanuel Imorou tweeted.
“We did our own tests 72 hours before the match as planned,” he added. “After the time of the trip, we were tested again in Sierra Leone, and five positive results…the captain, and players from Ligue 1 and Ligue 2.”
The Squirrels lost 1-0 to Gernot Rohr’s Nigeria, while the Leone Stars played out a 0-0 draw in Maseru, Lesotho.
Dussuyer’s side needs a draw to book their place in the biennial African football showpiece, while victory for John Keister’s team will send Sierra Leone through.
