CAF cancels Afcon qualifiers amid Covid-19 fears

Bafana Bafana’s match against Sao Tome and Principe has been put on hold.

The CAF Champions League on Friday officially postponed the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) 2021 qualifiers, which were scheduled to take place between March 25 and March 31.

The Fifa Women’s Under-20 World Cup qualifiers due to be played later this month were also rescheduled.

In a statement released on Friday, CAF said that, although the continent had fewer cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus than other places in the world, “the situation could evolve negatively”.

“Several players who are supposed to play the next Afcon qualifiers come from countries that have been severely affected by the virus [Europe or Asia]. Several African governments have made strong restrictions on travel, and are sending people arriving from countries affected by the virus into quarantine.

Several clubs have refused to release their players for their next international matches.

“For the above reason and after carefully studying the current situation, CAF has decided to postpone the Total Africa Cup of Nations 2021 qualifiers,” CAF said.

Bafana were scheduled to assemble on March 21 and face Sao Tome on March 27 at FNB Stadium at 7.30pm. The return leg was scheduled for March 31 at Estádio Nacional 12 de Julho Stadium in Ponta da Mina.

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