The Democratic Republic of Congo national football team has been forced to cancel a three-day World Cup preparation camp in Kinshasa, including a planned fan farewell event, because of the Ebola outbreak in the eastern part of the country.
The World Health Organization has declared the Ebola outbreak, which has affected both Congo and Uganda, a public health emergency of international concern. Health officials report at least 139 suspected deaths and more than 600 suspected cases linked to the rare virus.
Despite the disruption, DR Congo’s World Cup warm-up matches remain unchanged. The team is scheduled to face Denmark in Liège, Belgium, on June 3 and Chile in southern Spain on June 9.
Team spokesman Jerry Kalemo explained that only the Kinshasa phase of preparations was cancelled.
“There were three stages of preparation: in Kinshasa to say goodbye to the public, Belgium and Spain, with two friendly matches against Denmark in Liege and Chile in Spain and the third stage from June 11 in Houston, United States. Only one stage was cancelled, the one in Kinshasa,” Kalemo said.
Most of the squad, including French coach Sébastien Desabre, are based outside DR Congo and play their club football in France. Kalemo also noted that several team staff members based in Congo were expected to depart for Europe within hours.
A FIFA spokesperson told The New York Times that the organisation is aware of and monitoring the situation regarding the Ebola outbreak and is in close communication with the DR Congo Football Association to ensure the team is made aware of all medical and security guidance.
Meanwhile, the White House World Cup task force said it is coordinating with multiple agencies to manage health and security risks related to the outbreak. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has introduced a temporary entry ban on foreign nationals who have recently been in Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan, effective for 30 days.
U.S. President Donald Trump said about the Ebola outbreak on Monday that it has been confined right now to Africa but it is something that has had a breakout.
However, a U.S. official told The Associated Press that the DR Congo national team will not be affected by the restriction, as the players have been training in Europe for several weeks.
DR Congo’s qualification marks a historic return to the World Cup for the first time since 1974, when they debuted in the former West Germany. In November, the Leopards edged Nigeria’s Super Eagles on penalties in Morocco to reach the intercontinental playoff in Mexico, where they overcame Jamaica to secure their place among Africa’s representatives at the tournament.
