International Friendly: NFF, Congo FA Agree on Ebola Screening

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the DR Congo Football Federation have finalised plans to screen Congolese players for Ebola before the May 28 international friendly in Port Harcourt.

NFF’s 1st Vice-President, Seyi Akinwumi, who made the disclosure on Monday, said the federation was taking no chances with the disease.

19 people are known to have died of Ebola following the latest outbreak in the Congo, while, according to the World Health Organization, there have been 39 confirmed and suspected cases over the past five weeks.

Akinwumi said the NFF is working with the relevant health authorities in ensuring that the necessary measures are taken.

He said: “See, we have not held back any proper planning and administering adequate budget because we won’t jeopardise the health of Nigerians.We have notified the DR Congo Football Federation, while both presidents have met at the CAF committee and finalised issues.

“Beyond that, we have written to the Ministry of Health to have all those coming to Nigeria tested. However, most of the DR Congo players for the match are foreign-based.

“To assure Nigerians, we will not risk anything for the match; there should be no fear at all.
“We are 100 per cent sure that everyone coming for the match will be subjected to a test in Congo before coming and before leaving.’’

Akinwumi said that the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo did not affect the whole country but some villages and that would not stop the federation from doing the needful.We are told that the news of Ebola outbreak in DR Congo happened in the remote village and not in the whole country, but we are also cautious about the health of Nigerians.

“We want the best for the national team in terms of preparation and prosecution of the World Cup proper. The fund raising we are planning for the team is a bonus too,’’ he said.There were fears that the match would be cancelled due to the outbreak.