By Omolagba Oluwayemi
Football Writer, kick442.com-Nigeria
Ahead of Friday’s CAF Champions League final, 6 players have tested positive for Covid 19 and will be available for the final.
The decision to complete the tournament without crowds had sparked fears of the largest continental championship ending without much fanfare. However, these concerned have proved unfounded, with the revitalised tournament throwing up a final to savour. Being played as a single match for the first time, the grand finale will bring together two giants of Egyptian and African football: Al Ahly and Zamalek.
Although they have 13 African Cup of Champions/Champions League titles between them (Al Ahly leading with eight and Zamalek second with five), this will be the first time they have faced each other in the decider, which has been dubbed ‘the Final of the Century’. The Cairo derby is world famous and there can be no disputing the prestige and power of the fixture. Now throw in a Champions League title, as well as the honour of representing Africa in the FIFA Club World Cup 2020, set to be played next February in Qatar, both sides will be without the services of at least 3 players having tested positive for Corona Virus.
The test results of Zamalek players Abdallah Gom’aa, Youssef Obama, and Mahmoud Hamdy. El-Wensh returned positive. El-Wensh has already been ruled out of Zamalke’s squad as the club announced earlier their defender hand been infected with Covid-19.
On the other hand, Ahly’s players Walid Soliman and Saleh Gom’aa who had contracted the infection earlier still have the virus in their system. Al-Ahly’s squad received another setback as key midfielder Aleo Diang also returned a positive result which is considered a massive blow for the Red Devils who lose one of their star players.
The final of the century as it has been dubbed will take place tomorrow at the Cairo International Stadium by 20:00 GMT.
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