Author: Phlippages
The Confederation of African football (CAF) through its president, Patrice Motsepe has mentioned severe weather conditions as reason for moving the African Cup of Nations from June 2023 to January 2024.
The tournament was to be held in Cote d’Ivoire from June-July 2023, which is the peak of rainfall in the west African country.
“The 2023 Afcon will now be played between January and February 2024,” Mostepe told the media during a press conference in Morocco.
“This is one of the issues we discussed during our congress meeting here in Morocco and the official dates will be communicated later.
“It is after deliberations we came into the decision, we have partners and even though we make decisions, it is out of respect that we take the advice we are getting that we cannot take a risk [to host the tournament] and so that is why we have made the necessary announcement today.
“It is not good for African football to play a tournament that can be washed out, it is not good for Africa and the continent at large and so we have to postpone it.”
He however, commended Ivory Coast for the preparations they have already put in place to stage the tournament.
“I am happy and impressed with the infrastructure put in place by Ivory Coast in readiness for the tournament and I am sure they will host a very good tournament,” Motsepe continued.
It is worthy to note that the AFCON tournament held in Cameroon was also postponed, not due to weather forces but due to Covid-19 pandemic.
