The CAF settles the semi-finals of the Champions League and the Confederation Cup tomorrow
The Confederation of African Football ("CAF") announced that it will discuss Thursday fixing the dates for the semi-finals of the Champions League and Confederation Cup competitions, due to the spread of the new Corona virus in Morocco, the host country for the competitions.
In the last week of this month, the Kingdom of Morocco will host the fourth round of the Champions League competition, where its representatives, Raja and Wydad Casablanca, Zamalek and Al-Ahly, Egyptians respectively, in addition to the combined session (semi-final of one match and the final match) of the Federation Cup competition, which is witnessing a Moroccan summit between Nahdet Berkane Al-Wasif and Hassania Agadir, and the confrontation of Pyramids of Egypt with Horoya Conakry of Guinea.
CAF officials are concerned about the high incidence of "Covid-19" virus in the Kingdom, which has led to only three matches in the domestic league during the first week of September, and the postponement of 21 games due to the injury of more than one player in the ranks of several clubs, most notably Wydad Casablanca. And the Tangiers Union and Raja Beni Mellal.
A statement by the African Union stated that "a videoconference meeting of the Executive Committee will address several important issues related to the situation of football on the continent."
Two senior CAF officials confirmed to AFP that the semi-final and final rounds of the Champions League and Confederation Cup competitions would be among the issues on the agenda.
The first leg of the Champions League matches will be held on the 25th and 26th of this month in Casablanca. The return matches will be held in Egypt on the second and third of October, while the final match will be held on 16 or 17 of it in a place that will be determined later.
As for the Federation Cup semi-finals, it will take place on September 22nd, with the final match taking place on 27th in Rabat.
Hourouya faces difficulties traveling to Morocco.
"We are studying many options to get to Morocco, but they are far from right," said his boss, Sofiane Soiree.
According to press reports, Al-Ahly and Zamalek have differing opinions about what should happen if the CAF decides not to hold the Champions League first-leg as planned in Morocco.
Zamalek President Mortada Mansour confirmed to the club's website that he prefers to hold the two semi-final matches in Egypt rather than postponing them.
"I suggest that we play the home and away matches of the Champions League semi-finals in Egypt. We welcome our Moroccan brothers, whom we love and appreciate," he said.
An advertisement on Al-Ahly TV stated that the eight-time African champion would not object to the delay.
"We were planning to play the semi-final according to the scheduled dates, (but) the human and health conditions are more important than the competition," the Cairo club said.
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