CAN 2021: the Omicron variant worries CAF, visiting Cameroon
The Bependa Stadium, which will serve as a training ground during the CAN in Cameroon.
© WikiCommons / Beethoven Score
Text by: David Kalfa Follow
2 min
The president of the African Football Confederation (CAF) is in Yaoundé on December 20 and 21, 2021 to discuss preparations for the African Cup of Nations (CAN) and the health situation in Cameroon.
The Omicron variant worries the CAF.
Its Executive Committee raised, on December 19, the hypothesis of a reprogramming of the CAN 2021. "
There will be no postponement
", insisted however the Secretary General Véron Mosengo-Omba.
Advertising
Read more
20 days before the next African Cup of Nations (CAN 2021) of football, the question of yet another postponement of the final phase in Cameroon has resurfaced, even briefly.
It was in any case discussed this December 19, 2021 during a meeting of the Executive Committee (ComEx) of the African Football Confederation (CAF), rfi.fr learned from concordant sources.
However, these did not confirm to RFI the holding of a vote by the ComEx to decide the fate of CAN 2021. A fairly clear consensus would have emerged, however, to rule out the specter of a rescheduling of the tournament.
And Véron Mosengo-Omba, Secretary General of CAF, assured RFI: “
There will be no postponement.
"
A visit by the boss of CAF to Cameroon
CAF President Patrice Motsepe nevertheless went to Yaoundé, on December 20 and 21, alongside his first vice-president Augustin Senghor, the new boss of the Cameroonian Federation Samuel Eto'o. “
We'll talk tomorrow and give you more details
,” he explained upon arrival at the airport.
We are very clear in terms of commitment to make CAN in Cameroon a success. […] I am convinced that after our meetings today and tomorrow, we will be able to come to you and transmit to Africa and the world the confidence that we have through the commitment to our people, in Cameroon, and commitment to the development of football in Africa
”.
This visit, scheduled for December 18, should allow Patrice Motsepe to meet the Head of State Paul Biya.
The South African billionaire wishes to take stock of the progress and difficulties related to the preparation of CAN 2021. The boss of African football finally intends to go to the Olembé Stadium, supposed to host the Cameroon-Burkina Faso opening match January 9, 2022.
The health situation worries CAF and FIFA
There will also be a lot of discussion of the epidemiological situation.
The meteoric spread of the Omicron variant worries FIFA and CAF, while European clubs put pressure on Africa.
On December 16, CAF and the Cameroonian authorities agreed on the health protocol during the competition.
Should we toughen up this protocol?
The members of the CAF ExCom must meet in the coming days, on the sidelines of the Super Cup organized on December 22 in Doha, to make another point after Motsepe's visit to Yaoundé.
Newsletter
Receive all international news directly in your mailbox
I subscribe
Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
google-play-badge_FR
Soccer
CAN 2021
Cameroon
Sports
CAN