Posted by The Black Stars have now recorded 7 COVID-19 positive cases following recent international games against Mali and Qatar in Antalya, Turkey.
Following a year break from international football due to COVID-19, the Black Stars returned to action in friendly games against Mali and Qatar as they prepare for November’s African cup of nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Sudan.
Ghana earned mix results, losing the first game to Mali by 3-0 and defeating Qatar 5-1.
The results left a lot of Ghanaian football fans worried, but aside the results, there’s more to be worried about as Jordan Ayew becomes the 7th Black Stars team member to test positive for Covid-19.
The Crystal Palace 2020 player of the season was not included in the team that drew 1-1 against bitterest rivals Brigton on Sunday afternoon.
His exclusion came as a surprise to many, but manager Roy Hodgson in his post match interview has confirmed Ayew tested positive for Covid-19 in his return from international duty, becoming the 7th Black Stars team member to test positive for the deadly virus.
He joins Victoria Guimmares left back Gideon Mensah, Hoffenheim’s Kasim Adams, Besiktas’ Bernard Mensah, Celta Vigo’s Joseph Aidoo, Trabzonspor’s Caleb Ekuban and Black Stars management committee member Jones Abu Alhassan.
This comes in after the players went through a mandatory Covid-19 test after returning to their various clubs from the international assignment.
All infected players have now been placed under 14 days isolation in the countries of their respective clubs, with Black Stars management committee member Jones Abu Alhassan currently in isolation in Turkey.
The latest development has propelled a lot of football clubs who own the players involved in the friendlies to adopt stringent Covid-19 preventive measures.
It has as well raised serious concerns for Ghana Football Association (GFA) as they are yet to discover the full extent of the infection.
Questions of how the players got infected and whether the team adhered to all Covid-19 preventive measures have been asked.
Fears of Black Star players contracting the virus began when Mali confirmed that 4 of their players have contracted the virus prior to the game against Ghana.
The GFA is now expected to liaise with the clubs of all players who were involved in the two friendlies to know the full extent of the infection.
This will help the GFA prepare and protect players when the team return to action in November for AFCON qualifiers against Sudan.