During the AFCON, Eric Chelle, coach of the Mali national team, reported that two of the team’s players had contracted malaria. Those affected are Yves Bissouma, a Tottenham player, and Moussa Diarra, a Toulouse representative.
“Yves and Moussa have malaria. They’ve had blood tests, but it’s nothing serious. Those born in West Africa are used to it” revealed the coach.
“Yves could play, but Moussa’s case was different. It was the first time he’d contracted malaria, so he trained more lightly. There’s no outbreak” he said.
It should be noted that Bissouma played a part in Mali’s defeat against Côte d’Ivoire (1-2 a.p.), which resulted in the Malians being eliminated from the CAN. Moussa Diarra was an unused substitute.