Algeria and Zimbabwe Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) Game Might Be Cancelled

The 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier between Algeria and Zimbabwe is in danger of being called after the north African country reported more cases of the deadly coronavirus (Covid-19) yesterday.

However, the probability of the first match going ahead is diminishing after the Algeria Health ministry yesterday reported two more cases of the coronavirus, taking the total infections in the North African country to three.

Although the epidemic originated in the Wuhan province in China, it has so far claimed the lives of more than 2 900 with more than 88 000 infections in more than 60 countries globally.

The first coronavirus case in Algeria was reported on February 25, and it was an Italian national, who has since been sent back home.

Yesterday, Algeria health officials announced that a mother and her daughter are now under quarantine in Blida, where the game is supposed to be staged, after they were infected by an 83-year-old relative, who they hosted in their home following a recent visit from France.

The airborne epidemic is highly-contagious and there is a huge chance the Algerian authorities are likely to record more cases in the coming days since these latest patients would have come into contact with more people before the disease was detected.

Although the epidemic has not widely-spread in Africa, there is likelihood the forthcoming Afcon qualifiers including the Desert Foxes and Warriors’ clash in Blida will be affected.