Posted by Ghana Football Association (GFA) has reacted to the disturbing news of seven Black Stars team members contracting Covid-19 during the team’s friendly games against Mali and Qatar in Antalya.
The Black Stars after being away from action for almost a year returned to action last weekend in international friendly games against Mali and Qatar.
Ghana lost 3-0 to Mali and then defeated Qatar 5-1, but situation after the games hasn’t been the best as Seven members of the team have tested positive for Covid-19.
The disturbing development has left people questioning whether the team adhered to all Covid-19 preventive measures during camping.
GFA in the late hours of Sunday, October 18 released a statement on it website to address the situation.
“We are informed that some of our Black Stars players have tested positive for Corona virus following their involvement in Ghana’s friendly games against Mali (October 09) and Qatar (October 12).
“The Ghana Football Association (GFA) contingent adhered to all the strict COVID-19 protocols, before, during and after our stay in Turkey. A minimum of three tests were conducted on players, technical and management team members during the training camp in Antalya.”
“The first test was conducted 24Hrs prior to the game against Mali where one team official tested positive for the virus and was immediately isolated from the group. With just about an hour to the start of the game against Mali, the Ghana team Doctors, together with Turkish Health officials conducted another round of tests in the dressing rooms of both Ghana and Mali before kick-off.
“The 3rd set of tests were carried out 24Hrs before the second game against Qatar and again, no single positive case was recorded.”
“Furthermore, officials and management committee members of the National Team underwent another test on Thursday, October 15, 24Hrs before flying out of Turkey, this time, one technical team member tested positive for the virus and was immediately isolated from the group, ruling him out of the trip to Ghana.
“The GFA ensured all FIFA Covid-19 protocols were strictly adhered to throughout the National Team’s engagement and it is quite a concern that some members of the team have subsequently tested positive for the virus.
“The GFA will continue to monitor the situation and will provide all necessary support to the affected players while wishing them a speedy recovery.”
The team members to have tested positive for the virus include; Jordan Ayew, Gideon Mensah, Kasim Adams, Bernard Mensah, Joseph Aidoo, Caleb Ekuban and Black Stars management committee member Jones Abu Alhassan.