DR Congo national team prepared to play friendly match against Chile behind closed doors amid Ebola concerns
via SeneNews2 min read
The DR Congo national team coach, Sébastien Desabre, has expressed calm regarding the friendly match against Chile, which was prohibited by the mayor of the Spanish municipality set to host the game on June 9 due to fears of Ebola virus spread. Desabre stated in a press conference that there are other stadiums and possibilities, including playing behind closed doors, and that the team is accustomed to adapting to situations. He believes it is a venue issue, not a match cancellation, as both teams are keen to play. The mayor of La Linea de la Concepcion, near Gibraltar, had banned the match as a precaution against potential health risks from the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo. Desabre emphasized the strict health measures around his team, ensuring their preparation in Belgium is proceeding without concern. He noted that all European players and local staff had respected departure timelines from DR Congo, so the situation does not impact their daily lives. This match against Chile is the second friendly planned for the Congolese team in Europe as part of their preparation for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. They are also scheduled to play Denmark in Liège, Belgium, on Wednesday. In the World Cup, DR Congo is in Group K with Colombia, Portugal, and Uzbekistan. The White House had previously stated that the team would need to isolate in a "bubble" for 21 days to prevent Ebola contamination if they wished to enter the United States for the World Cup.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by SeneNews.
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