Yves Bissouma’s Malaria Battle at Afcon Revealed by Coach
In a surprising revelation, it has been confirmed by Mali’s head coach, Eric Chelle, that midfielder Yves Bissouma has been playing at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) while suffering from malaria. Despite his condition, Bissouma has been giving his all on the pitch, showcasing his strength and determination.
Mali’s journey at Afcon came to an end in the quarter-finals when they were knocked out by host nation Ivory Coast. The match was a thrilling encounter, with Mali taking the lead and looking poised for victory. However, Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra equalized in the 90th minute to force extra time. The match seemed destined for penalties until Oumar Diakité fired the winner in the 122nd minute.
Ivory Coast’s triumph was made even more impressive by the fact that they were reduced to ten men in the 43rd minute when Odilon Kossounou received his second yellow card. The winning goal was followed by wild celebrations from Diakité, which resulted in him being sent off as well. Mali’s Hamari Traoré also saw red for his complaints to the referee.
Amidst this intense battle, it was revealed that Bissouma and Moussa Diarra had been playing with malaria. Coach Chelle assured that Bissouma’s case was not severe due to him being born in West Africa, where malaria is more prevalent. This allowed Bissouma to continue playing, although Diarra’s case was different. Chelle explained that Diarra had contracted malaria for the first time and had started some light training.
Chelle emphasized that there was no outbreak or major concern regarding malaria among the team. Both Bissouma and Diarra had undergone blood tests, and while Bissouma’s condition was manageable, Diarra’s situation required caution. The coach stated that they would take things carefully to ensure the players’ well-being.
Looking ahead, Ivory Coast will face DR Congo in the semi-finals. DR Congo secured their spot in the final four with an impressive victory against Guinea. During the match, former West Ham star Arthur Masuaku scored a stunning goal reminiscent of his time in the Premier League.
In another thrilling quarter-final match, South Africa emerged victorious against Cape Verde on penalties. Manchester United flop Bebe had a moment to forget as he missed from the spot. South Africa will now face Nigeria in the semi-finals.
As the Africa Cup of Nations continues to captivate football fans worldwide, Bissouma’s battle with malaria serves as a reminder of the dedication and resilience exhibited by these athletes. Despite facing challenges, they push through and give their all for their teams and countries.