Botswana's Zebras In AFCON Dilemma

The Bostwana government media reports that the Botswana senior national football team, Zebras, may not honour the AFCON qualifier against Senegal due to the outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus in West Africa.

The Zebras are supposed to host Senegal, which is among the affected countries, on September 10 after playing against Tunisia on September 6.

The national coordinating committee would soon make a decision on whether Botswana should honour the fixture. During a meeting to brief the Zebras players about the Ebola disease on September 2, the director of department of sport and recreation, Falcon Sedimo told the players to avoid being disappointed in case the game is cancelled as a precaution.

"The challenge is upon us all and we must be prepared," he said. He highlighted that CAF should have taken preventive measures to address the Ebola situation, adding that the department would continue to monitor the situation and communicate with the players. Sedimo said in case the players go to Senegal, they would be screened and isolated for a period of 30 days. He said in the event that one of them caught the virus, they would isolate each one of them. He said the country was ready for Ebola and should the game be cancelled, it will be a matter of precaution.

Public health specialist, Dr Nesredin Jami Oumer advised the players to avoid contact when they embark on a journey across Africa. He also demonstrated to the players how hand rubbing was done in order to be protected from the disease.

"Sport is important but we always have to be careful," he said.

In addition, Dr Dolores Rommela Ruiz from Princess Marina Hospital warned the players that currently there is no treatment for Ebola.

"Ebola has high fatality rate and it is our responsibility to prevent it," she said.

She said the disease was mainly transmitted by contact of blood or bodily secretions. Symptoms include headache, coughing, muscle pains among others. She said the symptoms were non - specific while the incubation period ranged from 2-21 days therefore the virus could not be transmitted until the first symptoms shows.