Morocco Conducts Own COVID Tests at Africa Cup of Nations, Questions CAF Protocol

The Moroccan players will undergo the first Covid tests carried out by the medical staff tomorrow, Thursday, i.e. 24 hours before their second match of the competition against the Comoros for the second day of group C. However, the CAF protocol already provides for Covid tests to be carried out on all players 24 hours before the match, recalls the daily Al Akhbar.

To read: Morocco’s Soccer Team Hit by COVID Cases Ahead of Africa Cup of Nations Opener

The medical staff made this decision after several players, tested positive after an initial Covid test carried out by the organizers of the CAN, were declared negative after a second test. The Burkinabe Football Federation has also officially complained to CAF on this subject, considering the Covid tests carried out on its players and staff before the opening match against the host country Cameroon, unclear.

Thus, the Moroccan player Badr Benoun, recently tested positive for Covid-19, was forced to leave the selection due to complications, according to medical sources. He was replaced by Achraf Bencharki from Zamalek.

In addition, twelve referees have also tested positive and are currently in quarantine in accordance with the CAF protocol. The body should call on other referees in the coming days for the smooth running of the competition, which ends on February 6.