The AFCON is approaching fast, and so is the opposition. A lot of big European clubs have brought African talents in recent years, and now, they are trying to prevent them from participating in the biggest African tournament. Since they cannot forbid them, they are now complaining about the current Covid pandemic and the meteoric rise of a new breed – Omicron as the reason the tournament should be postponed. The European Club Association (ECA) wrote to FIFA deputy general secretary Matthias Grafstrom last week outlining concerns about player wellbeing, noting that CAF had “not yet made available a suitable medical and operations protocol”.Bring your whole medical record if you want to watch AFCON liveBut on Thursday, a joint statement signed by Cameroon’s ministers for sport and health as well as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) general secretary informed supporters that they will be required to show proof of vaccination and present a negative Covid-19 test result at the AFCON.The Africa Cup of Nations in question due to Covid19 outbreak?Further more, CAF general secretary Veron Mosengo-Omba highlighted the comparatively low Covid rates in Africa. According to the available statistics, Cameroon has registered only 1,823 deaths because of Covid. And for Luxolo September, head of media relations for CAF, it’s all about hypocrisy in dealing with Africa.“Nobody else has been told to cancel their event. Why only Africa? Has anyone written a letter to other confederations who are staging events? It is clear hypocrisy in dealing with Africa. The new CAF leadership simply does not accept this. The Afcon is an important tournament generating revenue for CAF. We need this. Of course we will stage Afcon under the best conditions possible. I ask for everyone to show a little bit of respect towards Africa. A complete lack of respect from some people in their comments on African competitions is not something we appreciate. It is very clear Africa will do what is in the interests of Africa. I don’t understand why it is so difficult for anyone to understand this – there will be the Afcon in January and it will be in Cameroon” said September to inews.co.uk.Two Kenyan referees to officiate in 2021 AFCON tournamentTo be fair, another African club is also complaining. African Champions League winners Al-Ahly launched a formal complaint to both FIFA and CAF, since they will interrupt their plains for February’s Club World Cup in the UAE, in which Chelsea are competing. The Egyptian team could lose over 10 players to national sides, as they play their opening match against on 5 February – just one day before the Afcon final.
