CAF shifts qualifier matches : 2021 Africa Cup of Nations moved to January

Dates for qualifiers for the Cameroon 2021 Africa Cup of Nations have been brought forward to March following a request by the host nation and the finals of the tournament will start on 9 January 2021 after its dates were moved.

The changes mean that the next round of qualifiers that were set for August will be played in March 2020.

The tournament was scheduled to take place in June and July but was changed because of the “unfavourable” weather in the country at that time of year.

Following a meeting on Wednesday with representatives from the Confederation of African Football (Caf), including president Ahmad, the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot) tweeted: “It [2021 Africa Cup of Nations] will be played in Cameroon from 9 January to 6 February, 2021. Date changed for weather reasons at Cameroon’s request.”

Caf’s deputy general secretary Tony Baffoe said: “We have reviewed the period of the competition as requested by the Cameroonian party due to unfavourable climatic conditions during the period initially slated.

“After listening to the various arguments and viewpoints – and in particular from the Cameroonian meteorological authorities, the coaches and players – the representatives of the Afcon organising committee, which received the mandate from Caf Executive Committee to take the decision, has granted this request.

“A detailed reported shall be presented to the members of the Executive Committee during its next session on 6 February.”

Meanwhile,  AFCON qualifiers have now been brought forward, while the World Cup  qualifiers have been moved to later  date.

This means that the Malawi national football team programme has changes.

For instance,the 2021 AFCON Qualifiers game involving Malawi and Burkinafaso both home and away will be played in March.

The South Sudan match  against Malawi  has been slated for June, with the Uganda encounter in August and September.

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