With just three weeks to the kick-off of the 2020 Africa Nations Championship, the Confederation of African Football has said the possibility of playing matches behind closed doors, postponements or even cancellations are being mooted.
It remains unclear if the CHAN tournament would go on as planned after host country Cameroon announced two cases of coronavirus on Friday.
Cameroon, who host the 2020 CHAN tournament, are also due to host the continent’s biggest football event – Africa Cup of Nations – next January.
It was reported that a French citizen who arrived in Yaounde on February 24 was tested positive for COVID-19, before a second infection involving a Cameroonian who had been in close contact with the index case was confirmed by Public Health Minister, Manaouda Malachie on Friday.
Reacting to the development, in a statement released on its official website, the Africa’s football governing body said it wasn’t extremely worried about the possibility of the CHAN and other ongoing tournaments being disrupted by the coronavirus.
“CAF is following with great attention the evolution of the situation of this pandemic affecting our continent.
“CAF has mandated the Medical Committee to monitor the evolution of this disease and to set up measures to protect the health of players and all actors of the game.
“We are not extremely worried but remain vigilant with regards to future matches and tournaments such as the CAF Champions League, CAF Confederation Cup and the final tournament of the Total African Nations Championship (CHAN) scheduled to take place in Cameroon from April 4-25, 2020.
“The team is in touch with the countries organising these matches and reports in due time on updates to the Executive Committee.
“If the situation requires and in agreement with the countries concerned, matches behind closed doors, postponements or even cancellations are envisaged. In the meantime, an advisory to the actors of the game is being promulgated in conformity with guidelines from the World Health Organisation.”
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