Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has tested positive for COVID-19 on the eve of Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations opener with Zimbabwe.
The Lions of Teranga kick off their AFCON campaign on Monday but will be without their star goalkeeper.
Mendy becomes the latest Senegal player to test positive for coronavirus after captain Kalidou Koulibaly and forward Famara Diedhiou both returned positive results in recent days.
Senegal travelled to their tournament base in Cameroon without six other players, Saliou Ciss, Mame Baba Thiam, Bamba Dieng, Pape Matar Sarr, Namplays Mendy and Alfred Gomis – after they all tested positive for COVID-19.
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Ismaila Sarr and Abdoulaye Seck are also yet to join up with the squad as they’re still working to overcome injuries, leaving Senegal with a seriously depleted roster ahead of their tournament opener.
Sadio Mane, Cheikhou Kouyate and Balde Keita are among the remaining star names who are fit and raring to go against Zimbabwe.
It’s been reported in recent days that sides at AFCON could be forced to play with outfielders in goal if necessary in order to fulfil fixtures at the tournament.
Mendy’s positive test comes a few days after Thomas Tuchel revealed Chelsea teammates N’Golo Kante and Thiago Silva were suffering with COVID-19, missing the Blues’ Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg win at home to rivals Tottenham.
The duo could return to the side for the second leg this coming Wednesday.
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