Doubts increase over Cameroon hosting 2022 Afcon as draw postponed

Hosting doubts increase as Afcon draw postponed

JOHANNESBURG, June 8 (ANA) – The hosting of the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon has been shadowed in doubt after the draw for the tournament was postponed on Sunday.

The draw was due to take place at the end of June, for the tournament scheduled to be held in Cameroon from January 9 to February 6 next year.

The Confederation of African Football said in a statement:

“At the request of Caf, the Cameroon Local Organising Committee (LOC) has agreed to postpone the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Cameroon 2021 final draw for logistical reasons related to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The draw was initially scheduled for 25 June 2021 and a new date will be announced in due course.

Caf continues to work together with its partners, the Cameroon government and the LOC with the objective of making the TotalEnergies  Africa Cup of Nations Cameroon 2021 a successful event and a great celebration of African football.”

The Covid-19 cases in Cameroon are relatively few in global terms. As of Monday, Cameroon had 3680 active cases. Taking the numbers into account, it’s unclear why the draw could not be held in the country on June 25. The draw could also be conducted in an online video press conference to avoid unnecessary travel to the country for members of Caf.

However, with the administration of vaccines considered slow on the African continent it means the public consensus is that it is not a safe travel destination during the pandemic. – African News Agency (ANA), Editing by Michael Sherman