Africa Cup of Nations Postponed to 2022
ZTN Sports
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has moved the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to January 2022, while cancelling the African Women’s Cup of Nations.
The next edition of the biennial tournament has been postponed by 12 months, the Confederation of African Football (Caf) confirmed in their Executive Committee meeting Tuesday.
Zimbabwe are second in Group H of the qualifiers with four points, two behind Algeria, who have a 100 percent record after hammering Zambia 5-0 and a 1-0 win against Botswana.
The Warriors of Zimbabwe were held to a goalless draw in their first match at home by Botswana before beating Zambia 2-1 in their second fixture.
AFCON 2021 was due to begin in Cameroon on January 9, 2021, but has now been pushed back to January 2022 due to the impact of the corona virus pandemic across the continent.
“After consultation with stakeholders and taking into consideration the current global situation, the tournament has been rescheduled for January 2022,” Caf confirmed in a statement.
“The date for the final tournament and the remaining matches of the qualifiers will be communicated in due course.”
Caf’s Executive Committee meeting also confirmed the 2020 African Nations Championship (CHAN), the biennial tournament for home-based players, will be played in January 2021, having originally been scheduled for April 2020.
“The CAF Executive Committee is satisfied with the Cameroonian authorities for their commitment towards the hosting of the two competitions,” added Ahmad, dispelling rumours that the Central African nation would be replaced as hosts. “Cameroon is ready to host either competition and are within schedule.
For women’s football across the continent, the 2020 African Women’s Cup of Nations has been cancelled, while Caf has announced the inauguration of a new women’s Champions League, which will begin in 2021.
Also announced during the meeting, Caf has revealed that their two continental club competitions, the Champions League and Confederation Cup, will be a ‘Final Four’ format with one-legged semi-finals played in September, rather than home-and-away ties.
Caf have not yet revealed the identity of the Champions League hosts, but Morocco will host the Confederation Cup semis and final.