CAF postpones AFCON, cancels AWCON 2020, unveils new format for CL, CC

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) executive committee on Tuesday announced the postponement of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) billed for the Central African state, Cameroon.

The continental football body said the competition would still be held in Cameroon, with a new date of January 2022.

The decision was reached after the committee met via video-conference to discuss the future of the competition and other related issues amid the global outbreak of flu-like coronavirus pandemic.

“After consultation with stakeholders and taking into consideration the current global situation, the tournament has been rescheduled for January 2022.

“The date for the final tournament and the remaining matches of the qualifiers will be communicated in due course,” the African football body said in a statement.

CAF also rescheduled the finals of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2020, shifting it to January 2021, also in Cameroon.

“The CAF executive committee is satisfied with t the Cameroonian authorities for their commitment towards the hosting of the two competitions. Cameroon is ready to host either competition and are within schedule,” CAF President, Ahmad Ahmad said.

The statement reads “The Total CAF Champions League and Total CAF Confederation Cup, will resume in September with a final four (4) format. Semi-final matches will be played in a single match.

“Due to challenging conditions, the 2020 edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (AWCON) has been cancelled.

“The 42nd CAF Ordinary General Assembly has been rescheduled for December 2020 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

“CAF has allocated an additional USD 16.2 Million to assist member associations to mitigate challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Each member associations will be entitled to USD 300,000.”