MASERU – LeFA has pulled Likuena out of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2021 Cameroon qualifiers against Benin after CAF postponed the fixture due to the Coronavirus outbreak.
sports
March 15, 2020
STAFF REPORTER
2 min read
LeFA pulled out of AFCON qualifiers
LeFA secretary general Mokhosi Mohapi
In a statement, LeFA says CAF has officially postponed the AFCON qualifiers until further notice.
LeFA secretary general Mokhosi Mohapi has confirmed that they will not be sending the national squad to Benin.
In its statement CAF said: “As CAF's top priority remains the health and safety of our stakeholders, players, officials, sponsors, broadcasters, employees etc, we have been monitoring closely, together with our medical committee, the impact of the current Coronavirus crisis.
“Coronavirus has been declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO). In Africa, only a few cases have been reported, but the situation could evolve negatively as several players, who are supposed to play in the next AFCON Qualifiers, come from countries which have been severely affected by the virus.
Enjoy our daily newsletter from today
Access exclusive newsletters, along with previews of new media releases.
The statement adds that several African governments have taken strong restrictions on travels; look down, quarantine for people coming from countries affected by the virus.
It also shows that a number of clubs now refuse to release their players for the next international matches.
“For the above reasons and after studying carefully the current situation, CAF has decided to postpone the total Africa Cup of Nations 2021qualifier, scheduled from 25 to 31 March 2020," the statement further states.
CAF says it will also share with member associations a proposal of a new calendar that will be communicated on a second step, according to the evolution of the coronavirus situation.
The body has reassured its members that it is always in contact with WHO in order to get updated reports on Africa's situation, adding that the CAF Medical Committee is conducting many inspection visits to the countries hosting the final tournaments.
Likuena were due to leave the country via South Africa on March 21 with a delegation of 20 players plus five officials.
Likuena are in group L which consists of Nigeria's Super Eagles currently perched at the top of the group while Likuena are on third place after Benin while Sierra Leone are at the bottom of the group.
Tailored for you
