Covid: Setback as two Gor Mahia players quarantined in Congo

Gor Mahia FC's Jules Ulimwengu at Nyayo stadium. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Former Kenya Premier League champions, Gor Mahia, got a setback for their second leg match scheduled for this weekend when two of her players were reported to have tested positive for Covid-19 during the club’s recent trip to the Republic of Congo.  

The results for Burundian forward Jules Ulimwengu and midfielder John Ochieng’ sampled by Congolese authorities came four days before the first match and turned positive. This meant that the two had to miss the tie between the Kenyan green army and Otoho d’Oyo at the Alphonse Massemba-Debat Stadium in Brazzaville.

The team’s official Twitter handle says the two players will be quarantined for 8 days in Congo where they are still held up, meaning they are set to miss the return leg to be played at the Nyayo National Stadium this coming Saturday.

“Our two players (Jules & John) who 'tested' positive for Covid-19 in Congo will be in quarantine for 8 days before being allowed to travel back to Nairobi,” Gor Mahia’s Sporting Director Lordvick Aduda who is with them confirmed.

As the entourage touched back home, the two were expected to return with the team but were denied an exit pass with Congolese authorities and Lordvick Aduda remained behind with the players.

“I’m still in Congo trying to sort out this situation. It is unfortunate but speaking much will make them know how we are handling the situation.” Said Aduda.

Gor went down 1-0 to Otoho d’Oyo in the first encounter in the CAF Confederation cup that was played last Sunday in Congo.

The sweetest revenge will be to beat the visitors 2-0 back to overturn the one-goal deficit to qualify for the CAF Confederation Group Stage which comes with Kshs. 28 million at stake.