KATHMANDU, JANUARY 25
Four of the Mauritius national football team members tested positive for coronavirus in a test carried out upon their arrival for two international friendly matches against Nepal.
According to the Mauritius Football Association, Loic Michel, Walter St Martin, Hans Patate and Kerlson Agathe tested positive and they were in good health.
"Four positive cases were detected this morning in a PCR test carried out by Nepal authorities on the arrival of Mauritian delegation," the Mauritius FA said in a facebook post along with the profile pictures of the four players.
"The players are currently in isolation under the supervision of medical staff.
They will undergo another test on Thursday, while other team members are scheduled to be tested on Friday, 24 hours before the match," the Mauritius FA added. The rest of the team members took part in training at the Nepali Army Headquarters grounds on Tuesday.
Nepal and Mauritius are facing each other for the first time. Mauritius are at the 172nd position in FIFA ranking, while Nepal are three placed above the African side.
Meanwhile, the All Nepal Football Association said it would allow one third of the spectators for the matches slated for January 29 and February 1 at the Dasharath Stadium.
"The ANFA has completed all the preparations for the friendlies against Mauritius and only onethird spectators will be allowed in the stadium to comply with the health protocols issued by the government," said the ANFA on its website.
The ANFA also fixed ticket prices - Rs 1,000 for VIP parapet and Rs 500 for normal parapet - for the international friendly matches to be played under lights.
Nepal head coach Abdullah Almutairi is yet to announce the final squad for the friendlies.
Currently, 34 players are undergoing training. The Nepal national team has not played since losing 3-0 to India in the final of the SAFF Championship in October last year in Maldives.
A version of this article appears in the print on January 26, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.
