Ebola Outbreak Casts Long Shadow Over Sierra Leone’s AFCON Qualifiers
The Ebola virus continues to disrupt not only lives but also international football, particularly for Sierra Leone, one of the hardest-hit countries in the ongoing West African health crisis.
Already banned from hosting home matches, Sierra Leone will now play their double-header against Cameroon under even stricter conditions. The Cameroonian authorities have decided that no Sierra Leonean fans, even those living abroad, will be allowed to attend the games in Yaoundé.
“It is true that the Cameroonian authorities have set up a control system at the airports. But the more Sierra Leoneans there are, the more difficult it will be to track them, especially at the Omnisports stadium in Yaoundé,” a source explained.
🔒 Tight Controls and a Watched Delegation
Only a delegation of 40 Sierra Leonean officials, staff, and players will be permitted to enter Cameroon. Once inside the country, they will be closely monitored throughout their stay.
This is yet another blow to a team already playing under extremely difficult emotional and logistical circumstances. The lack of home advantage, travel restrictions, and now the absence of fan support, make their qualification campaign even more uphill.
As fear of the virus spreads globally, it is clear that Ebola is not just a health crisis—it’s reshaping the landscape of African football.
