ETOILE KEEPER, COACH, TRAINER TEST POSITIVE

MBABANE – Tunisia’s Etoile du Sahel’s young and regular goalkeeper Rami Gabsi and two officials tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of their trip to Eswatini.

The match, CAF Confederation Cup 2020/21 first leg playoff is billed for Mavuso Sports Centre this Sunday, Valentine’s Day at 3pm in Manzini. 

This is only after tomorrow and the visiting team is expected in the country today as they must be tested at least 48 hours before the match.

According to Etoile’s official Facebook page, their results for the trip were released on Wednesday afternoon as the club had one of its final preparations before their flight later yesterday with their arrival set for noon today. 

isolate

Rami and the technical officials, assistant coach Anis Nasri and physical trainer Aymen Habibi will not be forming part of the squad to Eswatini and will also miss the second leg a week later as they isolate for treatment. 

Recovery is possible in about 14 to 21 days depending on one’s immune system. The latest cases including that of Rami, who has played most of their league games until most recently, follow others including two teammates who are recovering. 

These are regular first team stars Ben and Nas who will not be travelling.

“Allah be with us. God we win this one for all those who are sick and recovering. Heal Rami and the injured or sick five. So long as we win and qualify (sic),” read one of the comments after a Google translation.

The supporters wished the 21-year-old shot stopper a speedy recovery along with the others affected in the club. 

Besides players, officials Ayman Al-Habibi and Anis Al-Nasri were reportedly healing from the virus. Koora.com also reported on the positive cases in Etoile’s camp while also confirming their departure. 

confirmed

Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Marketing and Communications Officer Muzi Radebe confirmed their arrival was today and that as a precaution, the football guidelines regarding COVID-19 required tests for both sides before the game. It is expected the tests will be done this afternoon or the next day.

Radebe had recently explained that any positive player was isolated and teammates with negative certificates would play regardless of whether they went on to test positive hours or a few days after the match. This was during Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) AS Vita visit in the CAF Champions League second round first leg where they had three players remain at the airport due to positive tests, others tested positive here while Buffaloes then travelled without some players due positive tests a week later.

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