Kathmandu, January 9
The African Cup of Nations, the largest football tournament on the African continent and the first in 2022, kicks off in Cameroon today.
A strict rule has been made before the start of the competition. Even if the coronavirus
infection, which is currently the biggest issue, poses a big problem, the participating countries will have to play. If only 11 players were available due to Corona, they would have to play.
The African Football Confederation (CF) has issued new guidelines stating that 11 players
should play without a goalkeeper. The available 11 players will have to take the field anyway.
If a team is unable to enter the field due to corona virus infection, the opposing team will be awarded a 2-0 victory.
The guidelines came after most of the teams reported on the covid case before the start of the competition on Sunday.
If a team fails to field 11 players, the CF says it will make the necessary decisions in such a
difficult situation. Egypt had delayed its departure from Cameroon after a corona virus case was found in a field camp on Friday. Egypt, which has won the title seven times, went to Cameroon only on Saturday.
Gabon’s Pierre-Emerick Obama has also been infected with the corona virus.
Apart from this, players from some other countries have also contracted corona.
With the new CF guidelines, it is clear that the competition will not be stopped under any
circumstances.
The inaugural match of the tournament will be played between Group A home team Cameroon and Burkina Faso at Stade Olembe.
By Karuna Thapa
