Ebola: Rwanda FA Wants AFCON Qualifier Match Against Nigeria Played In Another Country
The Rwanda Football Federation, FERWAFA, has implored the Confederation of African Football, CAF, to change the proposed venue of the September 6 AFCON qualifier match between Rwanda and Nigeria in Calabar.
The Federation cited the threat of the Ebola virus in the country as its reason for the request in a letter sent to the African football governing body by its President, Vincent Nzamwita, who said the change in the game’s venue would allay the fear of contracting Ebola.
“We wrote a letter to CAF for their advice on the situation in Nigeria. We’re waiting to see if they can change the game’s venue, because it (Ebola) is a big worry,” Nzamwita said.
He added that the federation was also getting direction from the government of Rwanda, saying: “If the government decides that the team does not travel, then we shall respect that.”
Although no case of the Disease has been reported in Calabar, three related deaths have been confirmed in Lagos after victims had contact with an infected Liberian, Patrick Sawyer, who travelled from his country to Lagos.
The outbreak has claimed the lives of more than a thousand people, mainly in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia, causing CAF to order Sierra Leone and Guinea to move their opening AFCON qualifiers to neutral venues.
Sierra Leone has approached the Ghana Football Association, GFA, to host their tie against DR Congo on September 10. In response, the GFA has said while it was keen to help, it was uncertain about the health implications for the country. The Sierra Leone FA will now have to make a formal request to the Ghanaian government for consideration by the Ministry of Health.
