Despite the Omicron-variant-driven rise in Covid-19 cases, African football leader Patrice Motsepe announced on Tuesday that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will take place as planned in Cameroon next month.
“I am going to watch, on the 9th of January, Cameroon and Burkina Faso (in the opening match),” Motsepe said, dispelling rumours that the already delayed continental showpiece could fall victim to the coronavirus pandemic.
After meetings with Cameroon President Paul Biya, South African mining tycoon Motsepe approved the AFCON, which was previously scheduled for 2019.
However, the 59-year-old was eager to point out the dangers posed by the new variety, which is responsible for a record number of positive cases every day.
“Omicron is an enormous challenge,” Motsepe said, asserting that nobody would be allowed to enter the stadiums without a negative PCR test.
At the news conference, Motsepe was accompanied by Samuel Eto’o, the country’s former football star and the freshly elected leader of the Cameroon football association.
“I will also be there when the trophy is handed over by Eto’o” after the competition’s final game on February 6, Motsepe added.
Cameroon was supposed to host the African football showpiece in 2019, but they fell behind in preparations, so Egypt stepped in as a last-minute alternative.
The tournament dates for 2021 have been rescheduled twice, first due to concerns that excessive seasonal rains would disrupt the tight timetable, and again due to the pandemic.
