Nelsinho: Olunga's Kashiwa Reysol coach tests positive for Covid-19

Kashiwa Reysol's Brazilian coach Nelsinho Baptista has tested positive for Covid-19.

The tactician is the coach to Sun King, a home for Harambee Stars striker Michael Olunga, and the 70-year-old is currently being treated at home.

"Nelsinho tested positive but is being treated at home," a close source to the coach told Goal on Tuesday.

"He is, however, under care and in stable condition after being hospitalised."

 Other staff and players have also been tested and are waiting for their results which will be out in about 24 hours or so.

"The team today [Tuesday] conducted a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test that included staff," the source continued.

"The results will be announced on Wednesday."

Olunga was set to line up for Reysol on Monday, but the game, against Vegalta Sendai, was postponed.

The former Gor Mahia striker was keen to continue with his scoring form which has seen him net 23 goals so far in this campaign.

Though Kashiwa are yet to reveal the players affected by Covid-19, the latest development will not be good news for Kenya coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee, who is preparing the team for the Africa Cup of Nations double-header against Comoros in November.

Olunga is among the foreign-based players named in the squad, the others being Victor Wanyama, Johanna Omollo, keeper Arnold Origi, and Eric Johana, and could subsequently be ruled out of the matches.

The first match against Comoros will be played at Kasarani on November 11 with the second one four days later away.

Goalkeepers: Arnold Origi (HIFK, Finland), Robert Mboya (Tusker, Kenya), Brian Bwire (Kariobangi Sharks, Kenya), Ian Otieno (Zesco United, Zambia), Timothy Odhiambo (Ulinzi Stars, Kenya).

Defenders: Johnstone Omurwa (Wazito, Kenya), Brian Mandela (Unattached), Joash Onyango (Simba, Tanzania), Daniel Sakari (Kariobangi Sharks, Kenya) Andrew Juma (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Mike Kibwage (Sofapaka, Kenya), Joseph Okumu (Elfsborg, Sweden), Samuel Olwande (Kariobangi Sharks, Kenya), Baraka Badi (KCB, Kenya), David Owino (Zesco United, Zambia), Hillary Wandera (Tusker, Kenya), Eric Ouma (AIK, Sweden), David Owino (Mathare United, Kenya).

Midfielders: Kenneth Muguna (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Victor Wanyama (Impact Montreal, Canada), Ismael Gonzalez (UD Las Palmas, Spain), Eric Johanna Omondi (Jonkoping’s Sodra, Sweden), Cliff Nyakeya (Masr FC, Egypt), Antony Akumu (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa), Musa Masika (Wazito, Kenya), Bonface Muchiri (Tusker, Kenya) Lawrence Juma (Sofapaka, Kenya), Johanna Omolo (Cercle Brugge, Belgium), Ayub Timbe (Unattached), Peter Thion’go (AFC Leopards, Kenya), Hassan Abdallah (Bandari, Kenya), Elli Asieche (Sofapaka, Kenya), Mathew Olake (Unattached), Moses Mudavadi (Kakamega Homeboyz, Kenya), Austin Odhiambo (AFC Leopards, Kenya).

Forwards: Michael Olunga (Kashiwa Reysol, Japan), Benson Omala (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Masud Juma (JS Kabylie, Algeria), John Avire (Tanta FC, Egypt), Oscar Wamalwa (Ulinzi Stars, Kenya).

Reserves: Dennis Sikhayi (Wazito, Kenya), James Kinyanjui (Mathare United, Kenya).