Ebola Fears: NSC Asks CAF To Move Nigeria-DR Congo U23 Match From Lubumbashi

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has written to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), requesting that Nigeria’s upcoming Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) be moved from the country over concerns about a reported Ebola outbreak.

Kola Daniel, Special Assistant on Media to the Director-General of the NSC, disclosed this exclusively to LEADERSHIP in response to an inquiry about precautionary measures being considered to protect Nigerian players and officials ahead of the two-legged qualifying fixture.

Daniel said the commission had formally approached CAF to relocate the first leg, scheduled to take place in Lubumbashi, DR Congo, amid reports of the spread of the deadly Ebola virus in the Central African country.

He added that the NSC was awaiting CAF’s response before determining its next course of action, while a strategic meeting with relevant authorities was being planned for Monday to discuss measures to minimise the potential health risks to the Nigerian contingent.

“The National Sports Commission (NSC) has written to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) that the match between DR Congo and Nigeria should be moved from TP Mazembe Stadium in DR Congo because of the ugly disease Ebola in that country,” Daniel said.

“We are waiting for the response of CAF until further decision can be taken by the leadership of NSC.”

He further disclosed that the commission intended to consult relevant authorities to ensure that adequate precautions were considered before the team travelled for the encounter.

“There will be a strategic meeting with relevant authorities concerned on Monday to ensure our players will not be victims of the ugly disease in Congo. Let us just wait for the response of CAF on this matter, as we have rightly written to them,” he added.

The NSC’s move comes amid concerns over reports of a major Ebola outbreak in DR Congo, with figures cited in the inquiry indicating more than 9,800 cases and over 4,700 deaths since May. However, these figures have not been independently verified for this report, and the outbreak’s location, timeline and scale require confirmation from the relevant public health authorities.

Ebola is a severe and often fatal disease that can spread through direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person, or with contaminated materials. The risk of transmission is particularly associated with contact with symptomatic individuals and their bodily fluids.

The NSC’s request to CAF reflects concerns about the health and safety of Nigerian players, coaches and officials who may travel to DR Congo for the qualifying fixture. However, the commission has yet to announce specific health-screening protocols, travel restrictions or other preventive measures that may be adopted.

The proposed strategic meeting is expected to provide an opportunity for the NSC to consult relevant health authorities and other stakeholders on the appropriate response to the reported outbreak.

The commission’s position on the venue will also depend on CAF’s response to its request. Until the continental football governing body makes a decision, the status of the proposed relocation remains uncertain.

Nigeria and DR Congo are scheduled to meet in a two-legged qualifying tie for the U23 AFCON, with the first leg billed for Lubumbashi on 13 November and the return leg scheduled for 17 November in Ikenne, Ogun State.

The outcome of the tie will determine which team advances in the qualifying campaign, making the fixture important to Nigeria’s hopes of progressing in the competition.

While the NSC awaits CAF’s decision, the health concerns surrounding the trip have introduced an additional dimension to preparations for the encounter. The commission’s planned consultations with relevant authorities will be crucial in determining the measures required to safeguard the Nigerian delegation.

For now, the NSC has confirmed its request to CAF but has not announced a final decision on the team’s travel arrangements or disclosed the full scope of the preventive measures being considered.