2022 WAFCON: COVID-19 Rocks South Africa Camp

2022 WAFCON: COVID-19 Rocks South Africa Camp

Sampson Adedeji

Banyana Banyana camp have been rocked by several COVID-19 cases ahead of their crucial Women's Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final game against Tunisia in Rabat on Thursday, BSNsports.com.ng reports.

The South Africa Football Association (SAFA) said on Tuesday afternoon that SA will be without “several players” when they meet Tunisia, though did not specify how many had contracted COVID-19.

SAFA said at least two players missed SA's final group game against Botswana, which ended in a 1-0 win in Rabat on Sunday, because of having contracted or been exposed to the novel virus.

“We had one official who tested positive before the Burundi game [in the group stages]. The official was isolated and treated as she was symptomatic,” Banyana team physician Dr Rodney Mokoka said.

"And 48 hours before the Botswana game we had one player who tested positive for COVID-19 and she was also symptomatic. She was put in quarantine and treated accordingly. Her asymptomatic roommate, who tested negative, is in isolation, hence they both missed the Botswana game.”

Banyana Banyana have to beat Tunisia to qualify for next year's FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. 

The top four teams at the WAFCON qualifies to the World Cup and two more go into inter-confederation playoffs.