Zamalek football director Amir Mansour said that Ferjani Sassi informed the club on Wednesday that he had tested positive for COVID-19 despite the midfielder's initial denial, throwing into doubts his participation in the African Champions League semi-final. The White Knights will face Morocco's Raja in the first leg of the competition's semis on Sunday, with the second leg scheduled to take place six days later in Cairo. Reports said on Sunday that the 28-year-old contracted the highly-contagious virus while on duty with the Tunisian national team. However, he rebuffed the reports, saying he only went into a five-day self-quarantine after he came into contact with an infected person. "The player told the club's doctor that he is infected ... we are now awaiting a medical report from the Tunisian Football Federation," Mansour said on Zamalek's official website. Sassi's fate remains unclear but he is likely to miss the semi-finals despite being named in the team's squad that flew to Morocco on Tuesday. His absence will leave Zamalek short of a creative option in midfield. Sassi usually partners the combative Tarek Hamed in the heart of midfield. Zamalek are bidding for their sixth Champions League title and the first since they defeated Raja 1-0 on aggregate in a two-legged final in 2002. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
