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DR Congo Slams “Unfair” Chile Friendly Cancellation

Published

5 months ago

June 5, 2026

DR Congo Chile friendly cancellation sparks anger as officials call the decision unfair and disruptive to preparations for upcoming fixtures

La Linea de la Concepcion, Spain, Friday, June 5, 2026, saw the Democratic Republic of Congo national football team express strong dissatisfaction after authorities cancelled their planned international friendly against Chile, a decision officials say has disrupted preparations for upcoming competitions.

Also read: FIFA Monitors DR Congo Ebola Outbreak Closely

The DR Congo Chile friendly cancellation was confirmed after local authorities in southern Spain halted the fixture scheduled for June 9, citing health concerns linked to an Ebola outbreak in the Central African nation.

Mayor Juan Franco signed a decree enforcing the cancellation following advice from local health services, who reportedly warned of potential public health risks associated with hosting the match.

The decision has drawn frustration from the Congolese camp, which has been preparing for international duty outside the country for several weeks.

The squad has been training in Belgium, with officials noting that none of the 26 players currently in camp travelled directly from DR Congo.

Most members of the national team are based abroad, and officials insist the players present no health risk. They also noted that only some support staff or fans may have travelled from the country.

Speaking during a virtual press briefing organised by the World Health Organisation, DR Congo’s Minister of Communication Patrick Muyaya described the cancellation as damaging and questioned the fairness of the decision.

He argued that the DR Congo Chile friendly cancellation had not taken into account the full context of the team’s preparation environment, stressing that the squad had already spent weeks training in Europe.

Muyaya suggested the move could be viewed as discriminatory and said it had created unnecessary complications for the national team’s build-up to future international fixtures.

“The players have been in Belgium for about three weeks,” he said, adding that the decision had interrupted carefully planned preparations.

Also read: WHO Raises Alarm as Ebola Suspected Cases Surge in DR Congo

The DR Congo Football Federation is expected to review its options following the cancellation, as the team continues preparations for upcoming international assignments.

Related Topics:Chile DR Congo featured football cancellation international friendly World Cup preparation

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Health

Kenya Releases 20 Ebola Contacts After 21 Days in Quarantine

Published

8 hours ago

October 26, 2026

Peculiar Adirika

Kenya Ebola contacts: 20 people have been released after 21 days in quarantine without symptoms as health authorities continue outbreak monitoring

Kenya has released 20 people linked to its first imported case of Bundibugyo virus disease after they completed 21 days of quarantine without developing symptoms, as health authorities continue efforts to contain the outbreak.

Also read: 2027: Shettima Says Peter Obi Has Nothing to Offer Nigerians

The World Health Organisation’s Regional Office for Africa announced the development on Monday, October 26, 2026, saying the individuals had undergone final health assessments and received counselling on precautions and follow-up care where necessary before reuniting with their families.

Kenya’s Director-General for Health, Dr Patrick Amoth, urged communities to welcome the released individuals without stigma.

“We ask communities to welcome them home warmly,” Amoth said. “Having completed 21 days without symptoms, they pose no risk of infection to anyone.”

The WHO said 98 contacts remained in quarantine as of Monday, while eight contacts had developed symptoms and tested positive for Ebola through laboratory tests.

According to the organisation, all eight individuals were already in quarantine when they developed symptoms and were subsequently transferred to the country’s Ebola treatment centre in Nairobi.

Kenya has recorded nine confirmed cases and two deaths since reporting its first imported case on October 6, 2026.

The WHO said all nine cases were linked to the same cluster, with no evidence of wider community transmission at the time of its update.

The organisation said health authorities had traced all 135 contacts, both within Kenya and internationally, by October 22, placing them under quarantine and monitoring.

The WHO continues to support Kenya’s response through coordination, disease surveillance, contact tracing, laboratory testing, case management, infection prevention and control, screening at points of entry, and public health communication.

The WHO Representative to Kenya, Dr Neema Rusibamayila Kimambo, said people who completed quarantine had helped protect their families and communities.

“People who complete quarantine have helped protect their families, their communities and the whole country,” she said.

Kimambo also commended Kenya’s Ministry of Health, the Kenya National Public Health Institute, and national and county health teams for responding to new cases.

The WHO said there was no licensed vaccine or specific treatment for Bundibugyo virus disease, but early detection and supportive medical care could improve the chances of recovery.

It advised against travel restrictions, recommending evidence-based measures such as health screening at entry and exit points, surveillance and contact tracing instead.

Also read: 2027: Shettima Says Peter Obi Has Nothing to Offer Nigerians

Although the release of the first 20 contacts marks progress in Kenya’s response, health authorities continue to monitor those still in quarantine and maintain surveillance to identify any further cases promptly.