Guinea Friendly Cancelled After Five Players Test Positive For Coronavirus

Guinea have cancelled their Tuesday night international friendly match against The Gambia after five of their players tested positive for coronavirus.

The match was to be played at Estadio Municipal de Albuferia in Portugal as part of their preparations for the upcoming back-to-back 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Chad in November.

“The Guinean Football Federation (Feguifoot) informs the sporting public and the national press that the friendly match Guinea versus the Gambia, which was to be played on Tuesday, October 13, 2020 in Portugal, has been cancelled,” reads a statement from the Guinea FA as translated from French.

“Indeed, with several players tested positive for coronavirus and cases of injury, Syli Nationale now has a squad of less than 11 players available, including a single goalkeeper.

“This does not allow the Guinean selection to play this friendly match against the Gambia. The decision was taken by mutual agreement with the match organizers.”

Guinea beat Cape Verde 2-1 in their first friendly match that was played on Saturday, despite missing five of their key players including Liverpool star Naby Keita.

Cape Verde went ahead in the 39th minute courtesy of Lisandro Semedo strike with Syli Nationale custodian Keita Aly well beaten.

Malado Kaba got Guinea to a perfect start in the second period, slotting in the equalizer two minutes into the second half.

Sambégou Bangoura grabbed the second goal for Syli Nationale 20 minutes later to hand the Didier Six’s coached team the win.