COVID-19: Koulibaly among 3 reported positive cases in Senegal squad

The Lions of Teranga’s preparations for their opening AFCON fixture have taken a major blow.

Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly, goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, and striker Famara Diedhiou have tested positive for coronavirus ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Koulibaly’s club, Napoli, confirmed the defender’s status news on social media on Saturday evening. The Italian side reported that although Koulibaly is vaccinated, he tested positive for COVID-19.

More importantly, Koulibaly has experienced no symptoms so far and is now observing a period in isolation.

Napoli also announced that Koulibaly’s club teammate Piotr Zielinski, another vaccinated player, has tested positive for the disease.

📌 Kalidou #Koulibaly has tested positive for COVID-19 while on international duty with Senegal. The defender, who is vaccinated and asymptomatic, is now in self-isolation as per protocol. pic.twitter.com/zpUbjq1SPc

— Official SSC Napoli (@en_sscnapoli) January 8, 2022

Mendy and Diedhiou set to join Koulibaly in Senegal’s absent list

According to Senegalese journalist Papa Mahmoud Gueye, Chelsea keeper Mendy and Alanyaspor striker Diedhiou have joined Koulibaly on the sidelines with COVID-19.

The trio’s absences mean Senegal are without their star goalkeeper, center-back, and a forward down.

Famara Diedhiou, Édouard Mendy et Kalidou Koulibaly positifs au #Covid19

— Papa Mahmoud Gueye (@billmahmuud) January 8, 2022

This report came only days after it emerged that there were nine other COVID-19 cases in Aliou Cisse’s squad, believed to be three players and six staff members.

As for AFCON, Senegal begin their latest bid for a first continental title against Zimbabwe on Monday. They’ll then face Guinea this Friday and Malawi next week in their other Group B fixtures.