Fiorentina forward Christian Kouame has been taken into hospital after contracting malaria while playing in the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Ivory Coast international won the tournament and remained there for a few days to join in the celebrations.

When he returned to Florence, a statement from the club notes that Kouame felt unwell and had a high fever last night.

He had tests this morning that resulted positive for the presence of malaria.

The player has been taken into hospital for treatment and his condition will be evaluated over the next few days.

Kouame becomes the third player to test positive for malaria after Moussa Diarra of Toulouse, who contracted the illness during the tournament.

Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Yves Bissouma was allowed to play for Mali despite contracting malaria, as confirmed by Mali coach Eric Chelle after the defeat to Kouame’s Ivory Coast.

Malaria is not contagious, but is spread through mosquito bites.

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