Sierra Leone’s national team, Leone Stars Group D opponent in the 2015 African Cup of Nations qualifiers, Cote d'Ivoire, Cameroun and DR Congo have all expressed concern about Sierra Leone which is one of the nations affected by the ongoing Ebola outbreak in West Africa and are asking the African football governing body, CAF to move all Sierra Leone's home matches to a neutral venue respectively.
The trio football federations are fearful of the deadly Ebola virus which has affected Sierra Leone in a major way and in order to prevent fans traveling with their team or players from contracting the virus, they (the three football federations) have already asked CAF to intervene over the issue.
Apart from Cote d'Ivoire, Cameroun and DR Congo’s concern, it is rumored that the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) are also considering the options to take the country’s home matches to either Ghana or The Gambia.
The trio football federations are fearful of the deadly Ebola virus which has affected Sierra Leone in a major way and in order to prevent fans traveling with their team or players from contracting the virus, they (the three football federations) have already asked CAF to intervene over the issue.
Apart from Cote d'Ivoire, Cameroun and DR Congo’s concern, it is rumored that the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) are also considering the options to take the country’s home matches to either Ghana or The Gambia.
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However, SLFA and the Sports Ministry are yet to make any officials comment regarding the national team as both parties are in engaged in another dispute following the SLFA’s decision to suspend all football activities in the country without engaging the Sports Ministry in any consultation.
Unlike SLFA, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) who are also considering to contact CAF to move some of their away matches in the sub region to neutral and safe grounds due to Ebola virus concerns are planning to meet their government through the Ministry of Youth and Sports for advice.
The GFA president, Kwesi Nyantakyi, said the current situation is worrying and said the GFA would seek advice from CAF as it cannot decide whether to travel or not to.
Nyantakyi said the concern and fear of the GFA will be communicated to CAF and then its medical committee will assess the situation and advise accordingly. He also announced that the GFA will also table this situation with the government through the Ministry of Youth and Sports for its advice and also insisted that all stakeholders will be consulted before a decision is made.
Ghana's Black Stars are scheduled to play Uganda at home, travel to Togo on September 10 and then to Guinea on October 11 in their group E fixture matches of the nation’s cup.
The Ebola virus has affected Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Liberia and recently Nigeria and three out of the four Nations are in the qualifying rounds of 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. Liberia is the only country missing.
Unlike SLFA, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) who are also considering to contact CAF to move some of their away matches in the sub region to neutral and safe grounds due to Ebola virus concerns are planning to meet their government through the Ministry of Youth and Sports for advice.
The GFA president, Kwesi Nyantakyi, said the current situation is worrying and said the GFA would seek advice from CAF as it cannot decide whether to travel or not to.
Nyantakyi said the concern and fear of the GFA will be communicated to CAF and then its medical committee will assess the situation and advise accordingly. He also announced that the GFA will also table this situation with the government through the Ministry of Youth and Sports for its advice and also insisted that all stakeholders will be consulted before a decision is made.
Ghana's Black Stars are scheduled to play Uganda at home, travel to Togo on September 10 and then to Guinea on October 11 in their group E fixture matches of the nation’s cup.
The Ebola virus has affected Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Liberia and recently Nigeria and three out of the four Nations are in the qualifying rounds of 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. Liberia is the only country missing.
By: Sahr Morris Jr.
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