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Afcon qualification ends in Benin-Sierra Leone Covid controversy

Tuesday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Sierra Leone and Benin has been postponed after the visitors refused to accept the results of Covid-19 tests presented to them by the hosts.

Despite arriving at the National Stadium in Freetown for their final Group L game, the Benin team refused to leave their bus after being told within an hour before kick-off that five players—including star striker Steve Mounie—would be prevented from playing after tests showed they have tested positive for coronavirus.

Benin, who claim to have taken tests 72 hours earlier which produced negative results for all of the squad, did not accept the results produced by Sierra Leone and duly refused to contest the match without a full complement of players.