Bertrand Traore: Burkina Faso star latest player at Afcon to test positive for COVID-19
The opening week of the Afcon has seen almost every team impacted by the coronavirus as coaches struggle to juggle their playing personnel.
Burkina Faso talisman and Aston Villa forward Bertrand Traore has become the latest Africa Cup of Nations star to receive a positive Covid diagnosis as the tournament continues to be beset by cases of the virus.
The Stallions coach Kamou Malo, who himself has only just recovered from the illness, confirmed the news in Wednesday’s press conference at the Stade d’Olembe ahead of the West Africans’ second group game on Thursday.
The news comes as a bitter blow for Burkina Faso, who must now contend with the loss of their captain—and best player—as they go in search of their first points of the tournament.
The Stallions took the lead against hosts Cameroon in their Nations Cup opener on Sunday—with Gustavo Sangare volleying them ahead after an error by Andre Onana—but succumbed following a pair of Vincent Aboubakar penalties late in the first half.
It was a controversial fixture, with Burkina Faso rattled by a VAR penalty call that went against them, and came after a turbulent build-up in which the Stallions received five positive Covid cases on the eve of the tournament.
They cried foul after arguing that the coronavirus testing procedure they were subjected to did not match the protocols outlined by Caf, but the results stood and they were denied several key players for their opener.
Edmond Tapsoba and Oula Abbas Traore have subsequently returned negative tests, while Dango Ouattara and Saidou Simpore will also have to miss their second group game after testing positive for the virus.
Now they must contend without Traore, who becomes the latest big name after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy to sit out of a fixture at the continental showpiece following a positive Covid test.
Having lost their opener, Burkina Faso find themselves under pressure heading into their second group game against Cape Verde on Thursday.
Cameroon face Ethiopia in their second match, looking to build on Sunday’s success, while the Stallions conclude their campaign against Ethiopia in Bafoussam on Monday.
Bertrand Traore game management claims
Burkina Faso captain Bertrand Traore claims a lack of game management cost his side in their defeat by Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Stallions led the Group A clash 1-0, but conceded two penalties before half-time and lost 2-1 to the hosts.
“We had a lack of experience because we have got a young team.”
The 26-year-old forward admitted “To play in the opening game against Cameroon is not easy. We gave everything and fought to the end, but the only thing we didn’t do well was the game management.”
Former Chelsea and Lyon player Traore was culpable for the first penalty, a challenge on Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa which was penalised following a video assistant referee review.
“We gave away two penalties,” Traore said. “The first was a mistake by myself, and the second one we could have tried to avoid.
“We had an opportunity to have three points or at least one point, but the most important thing is to learn from this.
“We still have two games to win and go through. We will do everything to be able to qualify.”
Meanwhile, Cameroon forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting says his country’s come-from-behind victory demonstrates the self-belief in their squad.
“It shows our mentality,” he said. “It is not easy to deal with this situation when you go a goal behind at home and you know you want to win. We handled it well and that is good for us.
“We believe in ourselves and told ourselves before the game that no matter what happens, we continue until the end.”
Cameroon and Burkina Faso are back in Group A action on Thursday when they play Ethiopia and Cape Verde respectively.
