Three additional players tested positive for COVID-19, further complicating Senegal’s preparations for their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations opener against Zimbabwe on Tuesday.
The country’s football association announced on Sunday that captain Kalidou Koulibaly, goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, and striker Famara Diedhiou will miss the game against the Warriors.
On Saturday, Koulibaly’s club, Napoli, released a statement saying the defender was in self-isolation as per protocol, despite being vaccinated and asymptomatic. The federation announced Mendy and Diedhiou’s positive tests on Sunday.
Six of their compatriots — Saliou Ciss, Bamba Dieng, Mame Baba Thiam, Pape Matar Sarr, Nampalys Mendy, and Alfred Gomis – tested positive and chose to remain in Dakar, Senegal, rather than fly to Cameroon.
Senegal coach Aliou Cisse, who led the Lions of Teranga to second place in the most recent tournament in Egypt in 2019, refused to be deterred by the circumstances, claiming his team was “full of confidence” coming into the game against Zimbabwe.
The build-up to the commencement of the AFCON, which begins on Sunday, has been marred by player withdrawals due to club concerns or deferred participation due to the coronavirus.
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