CAN 2021: when and where will Benin play its qualification?
Beninese Steve Mounié (right) battling Senegalese Youssouf Sabaly, July 10, 2019 in Cairo, during CAN 2019. AP - Hassan Ammar
Text by: Farid Achache Follow
4 min
The meeting counting for the last day of the qualifiers of the next CAN between Sierra Leone and Benin should be played next June, without a specific date, and without place for the moment.
It was scheduled for March, but was finally canceled following the supposed tests of five Beninese players positive for Covid-19.
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The case dates back to last March, when Benin was preparing to face Sierra-Leone on the sixth and final day of qualifying for CAN 2022. The day before the match, at their hotel in Freetown, the Beninese had been tested for Covid-19.
The results, which were to be communicated on the morning of the meeting, were not released until early afternoon, when the team arrived at the National Stadium.
On a simple sheet of paper, without any signature from a laboratory, the Sierra Leoneans had scrawled a list of five supposedly positive players and demanded their isolation.
A request firmly rejected by the Beninese.
The situation seemed ubiquitous and above all unworthy in view of the stakes of a qualification for the biggest African football tournament.
"
CAF sends the wrong message
"
Ulcerated by this episode, the Beninese decided a few days later to send a file to the African Football Confederation (CAF).
“The
whole delegation did new tests on their return to Cotonou, and when they returned to France, the five players were tested.
Each time, with a negative result.
And we never received the official documents of the tests carried out in Freetown, despite our requests,
”explained Mathurin de Chacus, the president of the Benin Football Federation (FBF).
“
Of the five players involved, two developed antibodies and therefore could not be positive again. Jodel Dossou had tested positive with Clermont in early March and had played since. Steve Mounié had had it longer ago, but still has antibodies, his level is not decreasing. We have always watched our players. We especially did not want to leave with a positive player. We were concerned about this, both to respect the protocols and to guard against
"surprises"
within the required time
, "said Squirrels coach Michel Dussuyer to the Foot 365 website.
“
No sanctions for Sierra Leone?
CAF sends the wrong message.
There was a proven cheating attempt and CAF did not react.
They want us to replay the match, I don't understand
, ”said Michel Dussuyer today, visibly very upset.
Benin asked that the meeting not be played in Sierra-Leone and the CAF according to a Beninese colleague visibly ordered a field inspection mission in Freetown.
Sierra Leone has offered to replay this meeting between June 13 and 15.
The five supposedly positive players present again
Last April, the CAF appeal committee confirmed that the match would be postponed to June.
While Benin demanded the disqualification of Sierra Leone, she demanded that Benin, guilty of not appearing on the field, be declared defeated.
Michel Dussuyer, who announced Wednesday, May 26 a list of 23 players selected to play this decisive meeting, did not call Stéphane Sessègnon, without a club.
He was recalled in March, in a supervisory role and without coming into play. “
We have a lot of players unavailable.
For local players, it's a door that opens.
They now have the opportunity to demonstrate their know-how,
”said the coach at a press conference.
The five supposedly positive players, all tested negative on their return to the club, are there.
They are Saturnin Allagbé (Dijon), Khaled Adénon (Avranches), Yohan Roche (Rodez), Jodel Dossou (Clermont) and Steve Mounié (Brest).
In order to prepare for this crucial meeting, the Squirrels wish to play a friendly match against Zambia.
Sierra Leone must win while Benin only need a draw.
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