4 Mali players test positive for COVID-19 ahead of Ghana friendly today

Four players of the Malian national football team have tested positive for Coronavirus (COVID-19) ahead of their international friendly today against Ghana in Turkey.

According to the Mali team doctor, Adama Sangare, the quartet were immediately placed in quarantine in accordance with the health protocol in Turkey after testing positive.

The infected players include Mali skipper and former Leicester defender Molla Wague (Amiens SC), Hamidou Traore, Aly Yirango and Aboubacar 'Kiki' Kouyate (FC Metz).

Mali head coach Mohammed Mogassouba named a 31-man squad for the game which kicks today at 5 pm.

#NidDesAigles :

Quatre Aigles testés positifs à la #COVID-19. Le Président de la Commission Centrale Médicale, Dr Adama SANGARE, rassure qu’ils ont été immédiatement placés en quarantaine conformément au protocole sanitaire !#JournéesFIFA #AiglesDuMali pic.twitter.com/99BBXx5EKa

— FEMAFOOT (@femafoot) October 8, 2020

First test for new Ghana coach

The game will also see Black Stars Head Coach C.K Akonnor take charge of his first game since his appointment in January this year.

The tie forms part of Ghana’s preparations ahead of the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualification games in November against Sudan. The Black Stars currently lead Group C of the qualifiers which also contains South Africa and Sao Tome and Principe with six points.

Ghana will also play 2022 World Cup host Qatar in a second friendly on October 12, 2020.