Three stars each from Egyptian clubs Al Ahly and Zamalek have tested positive for coronavirus and will miss the CAF Champions League final in Cairo on Friday, according to Egyptian football officials.
The Ahly trio of Walid Soliman, Saleh Gomaa and Malian Aliou Dieng are midfielders while the Zamalek victims include defenders Mahmoud 'El Wensh' Hamdy and Abdallah Gomaa, and midfielder Youssef 'Obama' Ibrahim.
Because of Covid-19 fears, no spectators will be allowed to attend the highlight of the African club calendar at the 74 000-capacity Cairo International Stadium.
Ahly are seeking a record-extending ninth Champions League title and Zamalek a sixth in the first final featuring clubs from the same country.
The side that wins the first single-match title decider since 1965 is assured of at least $3.5 million, which includes a minimum $1 million for competing in the Fifa Club World Cup.
Ahly would relish another chance to impress on the world stage having lost nine of 12 matches in five previous appearances, including a 5-1 drubbing from Mexican outfit Monterrey.
Zamalek have never featured in the Club World Cup as their five Champions League successes came before it was turned into a multi-continent tournament. (AFP)

USHERING IN DECEMBER & CHRISTMAS
Awoniyi’s Kwara Kiddies League season IV ends Dec 14
Enyimba end three-game winless run against Rangers
Nigerian coach sells Osimhen’s boots
Aquatics federation hails NSC’s festival pool project
Chelsea's 'best player' Palmer fit to face Arsenal
I’m going to school Paul – Joshua
EPL: Arteta says Chelsea ‘fully deserving’ title rivals ahead of showdown
Osimhen undergoes tests today for Fenerbahce return
Atalanta must take UCL form to Serie A – Lookman
Crystal Palace's five-match unbeaten run ended by Strasbourg
EPL: Chelsea, Arsenal set for London derby as Man City hosts struggling Leeds
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,375 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,611 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,549 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,188 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,162 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,082 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (51,925 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,511 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,637 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,199 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,594 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,068 views)