It has been confirmed that a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations winner has been admitted to hospital after contracting malaria.
Serie A club Fiorentina has announced that forward Christian Kouame – who won the continental tournament with Ivory Coast earlier this month, with his last appearance in the competition coming in his side's 2-1 win over Mali in the quarter-finals – has been hospitalised with malaria.
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"Christian Kouame took a malaria test on Wednesday morning after developing a fever and a feeling of malaise during the night between February 20th and 21st. The test came back positive," the Italian club said in a statement.
"Christian has gone into hospital to receive treatment and will continue to be assessed over the coming days."
Prior to leaving with his national side for Africa's showpiece competition, the attacker made 14 league appearances for the Viola this season, registering one goal and one assist.
The 26-year-old, however, is not the only footballer to have been affected by the mosquito-borne disease over the past few days.
Zambia women's striker Norin Betani lost her life to malaria shortly after joining up with her national team in camp earlier this week.
She was selected as part of the provisional squad set to take on Ghana in the third round of qualifiers for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, but was rushed to hospital soon after her arrival, and sadly passed away in the hours that followed.
"Betani died on Wednesday morning at the University Teaching Hospital after being diagnosed with suspected malaria," the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) said in a statement.
FAZ general secretary Reuben Kamanga added: "Betani was taken to the hospital nearest to the team camp, which is Kanyama Level One hospital, and FAZ engaged the family at every stage."
"The patient was referred to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) on Monday and was under medical care until her demise.
"FAZ secretariat staff, family members and her club (Indeni Roses) worked closely during the player’s hospitalization."
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