DR Congo’s friendly against Chile cancelled due to Ebola outbreak
DR Congo’s World Cup preparations have suffered a major setback after a scheduled friendly against Chile was cancelled amid concerns linked to an Ebola outbreak, reports BritPanorama.
The match was due to take place in the Spanish city of La Linea de la Concepcion on June 9. However, local authorities intervened, calling off the fixture following recommendations from health experts.
Officials described the decision as a precautionary measure amid ongoing concerns surrounding the Ebola outbreak in parts of the DR Congo. Mayor Juan Franco confirmed the match would not go ahead after receiving advice from health officials. “A report by the head of the mayoralty’s health service of La Linea advised categorically against hosting the match given the health risks which might arise,” he said.
This cancellation marks the latest disruption to DR Congo’s World Cup build-up. Plans for a pre-tournament training camp in Kinshasa had already been abandoned, forcing the squad to alter its preparations. They are currently based in Belgium to maintain focus ahead of the tournament.
The outbreak has been reported in the eastern part of the country and involves a rare strain of the Ebola virus known as Bundibugyo. Notably, none of the players selected for the squad have recently travelled to the affected areas.
The squad itself is largely composed of players based internationally, with many competing in Europe. Among the well-known names are former Manchester United defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka, midfielder Noah Sadiki, and Brentford forward Yoane Wissa.
Despite the cancellation of the Chile fixture, DR Congo is still expected to face Denmark in a friendly in Liege later this week. The team has been instructed to maintain strict protocols within its camp ahead of their travels to North America.
Further complicating matters, the United States has recently announced restrictions affecting non-American travellers who have been in DR Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan. However, these measures are not expected to impact the squad’s participation in the tournament.
DR Congo secured qualification for the World Cup for the first time since 1974, sparking significant celebrations across the nation. They are set to use Houston as their tournament base, with their opening match scheduled against Portugal on June 17, followed by fixtures against Colombia and Uzbekistan as they aim to progress beyond the first round.
In a tournament where expectations are high, the challenges faced by the squad are a stark reminder of how unpredictable the journey can be, embodying the resilience and determination that often define football’s global stage.
