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AFCON ’21 STARTS TODAY DESPITE MISSING PLAYERS

The 33rd edition of Africa’s finest football tournament strikes media networks this Sunday live from host nation Cameroon. BBC iPlayer will showcase 10 games from the first major football tournament of the year, including two quarter-final matches, both semi-finals, and the Afcon final (on the 6th of February)

Issued guidelines of play from the Confederation of African Football decree that in face of the pandemic, covid stricken countries will play even if there are only 11 players available. Several teams fall into this protocol category, such as Egypt’s pharaohs, Gambia’s Scorpions, Cape Verde’s Blue Sharks, and Tunisia’s Eagles of Carthage. Any nation unable to fulfill the required 11 will forfeit their game 2-0 in favour of the opposing team.

Arsenal forward Pierre Aubameyang has tested positive for Covid-19 and will play truant from a few of Gabon’s games. Guinea left behind striker Seydouba Soumah, defender Mikael Dyrestam and midfielder Morlaye Sylla in their practice facilities in Rwanda. Other Premier League stars making their entrance count are Edouard Mendy (Senegal), Thomas Partey (Ghana), Mo Salah (Egypt), Eric Bailly (Ivory Coast), and Pape Sarr (Senegal). The Africa Cup of Nations has undergone phenomenal growth since its genesis in 1957, where only three teams participated. This year, 24 teams will take center stage. We await for kick-off in the Capital City of Yaounde where only 80% of the stadium’s total capacity will be occupied for games involving hosts Cameroon and 60% for all other matches.

 

Rashid@Afroballers

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