The African cup of nations 2021 has been Postponed Amid Coronavirus Pandemic.
The 2020 African Cup of Nations sports tournament was originally scheduled from March 25 to April 4, but the competition was moved to January and February 2021 after the coronavirus pandemic broke out.
However, at a meeting of CAF on Tuesday, it’s now been decided that the next African Cup of Nations will only be staged in January 2022. The competition will be held in Cameroon.
Why has AFCON 2021 Postponed Amid Coronavirus Pandemic?
Caf has made the smart choice by pushing #Afcon2021 a year back. Gives everyone the chance to recover from a horror year and prepare adequately for the big showpiece. #3Sports
— Michael Oti Adjei (@OtiAdjei) June 30, 2020
The decision to push off AFCON 2021 isn’t a major shock.
The qualification process for the tournament still hasn’t been completed, and with the ongoing insecurities during the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s unclear when these matches can be staged.
On the other hand, the postponement means that the next African Cup of Nations will be in the same year as the Qatar World Cup.
Initial reaction from some african players I’m just talking to on whatsap not happy with the postponement of the AFCON given World Cup will be in that same year.
But given the circumstances, you really couldn’t fault CAF. No AFCON 2021. They’ll look to host it in 2022.
— Rahman osman (@iamrahmanosman) June 30, 2020
2019-20 Premier League champions Liverpool will benefitt greatly from the decision to postpone AFCON 2021.
As a result, Jurgen Klopp will no longer lose Naby Keita, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane for up to 6 weeks next season. Chelsea will also benefit from the decision too.
New Chelsea signing, Hakim Ziyech, was also due to feature at the competition for Morocco.
Which other Premier League clubs are affected by the decision?
Arsenal will also be pleased with the AFCON decision as it means Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Nicolas Pepe should be available for the whole of next season.
Meanwhile, Man City will get to retain Algerian star Riyad Mahrez, while Wilfried Zaha will stay at Crystal Palace.
Elsewhere, Tottenham’s Serge Aurier and Everton’s Alex Iwobi will also be affected by the postponement.