Genevova Anonma Calls for 2015 AFCON Cancellation Over Ebola Fears
Equatorial Guinea’s decision to host the 2015 African Cup of Nations is facing internal criticism, including from one of the country’s biggest sports icons. Genevova Anonma, Africa’s 2012 Women’s Player of the Year, has publicly urged authorities to cancel the tournament due to fears over the potential spread of the Ebola virus.
In a candid interview with Insidefootball, the Turbine Potsdam forward voiced serious concerns:
“I’m afraid for our people. They should cancel it for the good of humanity and the good of our country.”
Anonma highlighted the risk of bringing together people from different regions during an ongoing health crisis:
“There is an 80% risk of spread. We are a very small country and we do not want this kind of scourge at home. I have family there, my father, my mother, my cousins; I am afraid for them.”
Equatorial Guinea took over hosting duties from Morocco, which withdrew citing the same Ebola concerns. The deadly virus has claimed over 6,800 lives, primarily in West Africa.
In response, Equatorial Guinea’s Minister of Sports, Ruslan Obiang Nsue, sought to calm fears:
“If we did not have the means to control Ebola, we would not have agreed to host the African Cup of Nations. We are quite confident.”
With public health and national pride at stake, this growing debate adds another layer of tension to a tournament already surrounded by controversy.
