Coronavirus crisis to determine AFCON 2021 timing – Amoo

Former Nigeria national team coach, Fatai Amoo has joined the debate on whether or not to hold the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as scheduled in the face of on-going global outbreak of coronavirus.

The biennial football fiesta is due to be held in Cameroon from January 09 – February 06, 2021.

However, major football activities around the world have suffered postponement or outright cancellation due to the novel health crisis.

The bigwigs of continental football body, CAF, at the moment are seriously considering a postponement of its prime football showcase due to the coronavirus pandemic.  Already the various 2021 AFCON qualifiers have been postponed indefinitely.

Amoo said the health of everybody is more of essence to inching forward to host a major football programme in the face of coronavirus pandemic.

“My honest and simple response to the on-going talks concerning 2021 AFCON is that situation will go a long way to determine what happen.

“There are quite a lot of uncertainties in the entire world over the rampaging coronavirus pandemic.

“Starting the competition is not the issue, what is important is the health of everybody concerned.

“The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is not unaware or unmindful of the health crisis in the world at the moment.

“And that is why they are putting up the whole options on the table to take the wisest decision.

“For me health is (of the) utmost important(s) before any other thing including the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

“I believe CAF will take the best decision based on prevailing situation in the continent and world,” said the former Shooting Star (3SC) and Sunshine Stars tactician.

Cameroon has been designated by CAF as the hosts of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after the Central African state missed out to Egypt the hosting the immediate past edition of the biennial football showpiece won by Algeria.