Frankfurt's Barkok contracts COVID, Leipzig's Moriba rejoins team
The countries of two Bundesliga representatives won their opening group stage fixtures at AFCON on Monday.
Unfortunately, neither Aymen Barkok (Eintracht Frankfurt) nor Ilaix Moriba (RB Leipzig, Guinea) were able to appear for their teams.
When the team sheets were released for the massive Group C encounter between Morocco and Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations of Friday, Aymen Barkok was featured neither in the Starting XI nor the bench. The Moroccan football federation and Barkok's German club team quickly confirmed that the attacking midfielder had contracted COVID.
Unfortunately, neither Aymen Barkok (Eintracht Frankfurt) nor Ilaix Moriba (RB Leipzig, Guinea) were able to appear for their teams.
ℹ️ Aymen Barkok wurde während der Länderspielreise positiv auf COVID-19 getestet und wird dadurch beim heutigen Spiel von Marokko ausfallen. Aymen geht es gut.
— Eintracht Frankfurt (@Eintracht) January 10, 2022
The news is certainly bitter for the 23-year-old attacking midfielder. It had recently been confirmed by the SGE that Barkok, who sits on an expiring contract, would be shopped for a transfer during the January window. Barkok will have to wait for the opportunity to raise his profile. It looks as if he shall get that chance after the Atlas Lions achieved a critically important 1-0 victory over the Black Stars. Former FC Southamption winger Sofiane Boufal scored the game-winning-goal in the 83rd minute.
In much brighter news concerning a Bundesliga player and COVID, the previously quarantined Ilaix Moriba was able to rejoin his national team in time for their opening group stage match against Malawi. The former Spanish youth international was able to make the bench squad of the Guinean national football team in time for their opening group stage game against Malawi. He did not feature. The Syli Nationale also won their opening group stage game 1-0. Toulouse FC fullback Issiaga Sylla scored the winner in the 35th.