Panic in Tunisia as 12 players test positive for Covid-19 ahead of Round of 16 clash against Nigeria

• 12 Tunisian players will not be available for the Round of 16 knockout clash on Sunday against Nigeria after they tested positive for COVID-19
• Tunisia had qualified for the round of 16 after finishing as one of the four best losers in the group stage.
• Nigeria and Tunisia are set to clash in the second match of the Round of 16 on Sunday, January 23

12 Tunisian players are set to miss the Carthage Eagles’ Round of 16 encounter against Nigeria after they all tested positive for Covid-19.

The North Africans had qualified as one of the four best third-place teams from the group stage and were prepared to take on one of the title favorites in Nigeria who had finished top of group D.

However, it has now been confirmed that the Head coach of the Tunisian team, Mondher Kebaier, and 11 other players have tested positive to Covid-19 and will not be available for the game.

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Football

Speaking at the press conference ahead of the encounter, the Assistant head coach of the Tunisian team confirmed the sad news while addressing journalists.

According to a report via The Cable, the players to have contracted the virus include Wahbi Khazri, captain of the Carthage Eagles alongside Aissa Laidouni, Dylan Bronn, Ghaylène Chaalali, Ellyes Skhiri, Anis Ben Slimane, Mohamed Romdhane, Ali Maâloul, Ben Hmida, Aymen Dahmen Yoann Touzgha and Issam Jebali while goalkeeper Farouk Ben Mustapha is suspended from the game.

The Carthage Eagles last met the Nigerian side during the third-place game at the 2019 AFCON in Cairo, Egypt.

Both sides are expected to lock horns in Garoua on Sunday.

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Earlier Sportsbrief reported Nigeria has been drawn to face arch-rivals Ghana for a spot at the 2022 World Cup holding in Qatar as the draws were conducted on Saturday, January 22 in Douala, Cameroon.

The Super Eagles will be bidding to qualify for a sixth world cup appearance having previously represented Africa at the biggest football showpiece in 1994, 1998, 2002, 2010 and 2014 with only 2006 the last time Nigeria failed to qualify for the World Cup.