TheCable

Moses Simon, Super Eagles midfielder, will miss the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benin Republic and Lesotho due to COVID-19 travel restriction in France.

In a statement on Wednesday, FC Nantes said non of its players will be released during the international break.

“Like several clubs in France, FC Nantes will not release its selected international players for matches outside the European area during the next international break scheduled for the end of March,” the statement read.

“In the absence of health guarantees in accordance with the requirements of the French government in force to date, FC Nantes will not be able to release its internationals outside the limits of the European space.

“This decision, based on FIFA circular 1749 of February 5, is justified by the return protocol imposed on travelers who have traveled outside the European Union, who must in particular respect a seven-day isolation.

“The players concerned would also be unable to take part in the match of the 31st day of Ligue 1 Uber Eats, scheduled for Sunday April 4, between FC Nantes and OGC Nice (3 p.m.).”

Simon, 25, made Gernot Rohr’s 24-man list for the double AFCON qualifiers. The Eagles need just a point to pick the ticket for the tournament.

Mali’s duo of Kalifa Coulibaly and Charles Traore, as well as Jean-Charles Caselletto of Cameroon, will not be allowed to leave France for the AFCON qualifiers.

Brest and Dijon have also stopped their Benin internationals from going for the AFCON qualifiers.