Why CAF Suspends AFCON 2021 Qualifying Matches Indefinitely
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has suspended all Africa Cup of Nations qualifying (AFCON) matches indefinitely.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles were scheduled to host Sierra Leone at Asaba on March 27 with the return leg scheduled for four days later away in the 2021 AFCON qualifying Match Day three and four.
Revealing the continent’s football governing body made the decision yesterday, several reasons associated with the global pandemic, Covid-19 was highlighted.
WHY MATCHES ARE POSTPONE INDEFINITELY
CAF said in a statement that the decision is to protect the health and safety of stakeholders including players, sponsors, match officials and broadcasters.
“Coronavirus has been declared as a pandemic by WHO. In Africa, only few cases have been reported, but the situation could evolve negatively
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Several players, who are supposed to play the next AFCON qualifiers, come from countries which have been severely affected by the virus (Europe and Asia),” the statement read.
“Several African governments have taken strong restrictions on travels; lock down, quarantine for people coming from countries affected by the virus.”
Several clubs refuse now to release their players for the next international matches.
“For the above reasons and after studying carefully the current situation, CAF has decided to postpone the Total Africa Cup of Nations 2021 qualifiers, scheduled from March 25 to 31, 2020.”
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