Confederation of African Football, (CAF) insists the African Cup of Nations qualifiers will come off as planned and scheduled despite the outbreak of the deadly disease.
The 2021 AFCON qualifiers kick off with several heavyweights in action. The games which are expected to be played this month have generated scare from many people who are expecting CAF to postpone the said matches in an attempt to help curb the pandemic
But according to CAF, the games are to be played as scheduled despite the rapid increase in outbreaks of the disease.
The coronavirus was confirmed in the Chinese city of Wuhan on January 7, 2020. Cases have since been confirmed in over 80 countries across the globe.
The World Health Organisation, WHO, has since declared it a public health emergency of international dimensions.
According to World Health Organization (WHO), no African country till date has been declared a high risk. https://t.co/1pUMMeq7Nz #WorldHealthOrganisation #COVID19 #Coronavirus #Pandemic #Cameroon
— The Guardian Nigeria (@GuardianNigeria) March 12, 2020
Almost all African governments have publicly put in place strict screening at points of entry, especially airports in their countries. Cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Senegal and Nigeria. Some African airlines have cancelled scheduled flights to China.
Many of European big leagues have so far been put on hold because of the widespread of the virus and many players who play for African countries ply their trade in Europe. There is however a concern that these players will travel to Africa to play for their respective countries and are likely to spread the disease here in Africa if already contracted.
Some countries have written to CAF, asking for a postponement of their games due to the high risk of contracting the virus. Meanwhile, the Kenyan government has also placed a ban preventing the nation's sportsmen and women from leaving the country.
CAF: CHAN 2020 will move on as planned despite Coronavirus (COVID-19) threat https://t.co/MvR6h0TkSY via @KawowoSports
— Kakalabanda (@ErnestAkor) March 12, 2020