Coronavirus has completely ravaged Ghanaian giants Hearts of Oak as 34 members of their squad have tested positive for the deadly disease leading to the decision to cancel their opening match of the 2020/21 Ghana Premier League season.
The full extent of the cases became known on Saturday morning after the Accra-based side failed to disclose the number of players affected by the virus.
The number of cases in the team was unknown before the Ghana FA pulled the plug on their match against Aduana Stars which sent alarm bells ringing after some club officials earlier denied reports of growing cases of the disease in the Phobians' camp.
It has now emerged that Hearts would not be able to field even 11 players to play their opening match against Aduana Stars because they recorded the highest number of COVID-19 positive cases after the first round of test ahead of the new season.
The tests were carried out by government health authorities to clear the sides before the start of the season which has now shown the full extent of the cases.
The Accra side will now have to wait for the next 14 days before fresh tests can confirm whether they can play their opening matches of the season.
Thirty-six players out of 38 players and officials tested positive forcing their opening day game against Aduana Stars to be postponed.
Sixteen Ghana Premier League clubs have undergone the COVID-19 testing and following the initial tests and Elmina Sharks who were engaged in a friendly with the Phobians have ten of their players also returning positive.
Elmina Sharks are in disarray after TEN PLAYERS tested positive for the deadly coronavirus disease ahead of their Ghana Premier League opener.
The Botwekumba are expected to take on regional rivals Ebusua Dwarfs at the Nduom stadium on Sunday in their opening match of the season.
GHANAsoccernet.com understands the fixture is likely to be called off due the high positive cases of coronavirus recorded in the Sharks camp.
Already one match involving Hearts of Oak and Aduana Stars has been called off. The match was scheduled for Saturday 14 November 2020.
Elmina Sharks supporters are angry with their rivals Hearts of Oak claiming that the Accra-based giants infected their players with the deadly disease.
About a week ago, Hearts of Oak confirmed three players of their squad tested positive for COVID-19.
Earlier on, Sharks played the Phobians in a pre-season friendly.
The Ghana FA is yet to come out with an official statement concerning the match between Sharks and Dwarfs set for Sunday.