Good morning from Cameroon
Welcome to our live coverage of the Africa Cup of Nations clash between Senegal and Zimbabwe at the Kouekong Stadium.
The two African countries kick off proceedings in Group B but they won’t be without absences in Bafoussam, as they haven’t been spared by COVID-19.
Senegal manager Aliou Cisse has seen nine of his players testing positive for coronavirus, two of which are goalkeepers Alfred Gomis and Edouard Mendy of Chelsea.
That leaves Queens Park Rangers shot-stopper Seny Dieng as the only available player to stand between the sticks.
The Lions of Teranga’s captain and Napoli star Kalidou Koulibaly also tested positive as did Famara Diedhiou, Saliou Ciss, Bamba Dieng, Mame Baba Thiam, Pape Matar Sarr and Leicester’s Nampalys Mendy.
However, Cisse will still be able to rely on Liverpool superstar Sadio Mane, Paris Saint-Germain star Idrissa Gueye, Crystal Palace ace Cheikhou Kouyate, Watford forward Ismaila Sarr and highly-rated Olympiacos defender Pape Abou Cisse.
Zimbabwe interim boss Norman Mapeza, on the other hand, has seen all of his players avoiding the illness but Bournemouth ace Jordan Zemura has not been able to link up with the squad due to COVID-related protocols.
Kundai Benyu is also doubtful as he did not take part in training due to a stomach illness, but Mapeza could call on Luton forward Admiral Muskwe