By Harry Awurumibe, Abuja
In solidarity with the global fight against the spread of the novel Coronavirus pandemic, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has suspended all competitions including the qualifiers for the Total Africa Cup of Nations Cameroon 2021 and the Total African Nations Championship, which was due for Cameroon from 4-25 April 2020. Also, the 42nd CAF Ordinary General Assembly also set for 24 April 2020 in Yaounde has also been postponed indefinitely. This was contained in a video message from CAF President, Ahmad Ahmad today regarding COVID-19 pandemic. He said:
“I bring you all compliments from the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The last couple of days have been a sad one for African football and the world at large, due to the evolving nature of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) across the globe, which has now been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
There has been a lockdown in some of our Member Associations and in some cases a shutdown.
Despite being a football organization, one of our objectives is to partake in the fight against scourges posing a threat to the continent and humanity, and it is in this regard that we have taken major decisions to control and contain the spread of the COVID-19. As a result, we have suspended all competitions including the qualifiers for the Total Africa Cup of Nations Cameroon 2021 and the Total African Nations Championship, which was due for Cameroon from 4-25 April 2020. Also, the 42nd CAF Ordinary General Assembly also set for 24 April 2020 in Yaounde has also been postponed indefinitely.
Football is the passion of the continent, but the health of the players, officials, partners and fans matter most at this point. I expressed my sincerest condolences to the families who have lost loved ones and speedy recovery to affected persons.
In light of the spread, personnel working at the CAF headquarters have been directed to work from home effective 19 March 2020 till the end of March.
Furthermore, we are monitoring the situation closely and remain in constant touch with global partners such as WHO, FIFA and State Agencies on the way forward.
Also, my applauds goes to the several African football legends and personalities who have embarked on a #Safehands campaign on various social media platforms to control the spread of the deadly virus.
Let us stay together during these difficult times to fight the canker and restore our societies to normal state”.
