The Confederation of African Football CAF has dismissed rumours that next month’s Africa Cup of Nations AFCON could be moved away from Cameroon due to the new Omicron variant of Covid-19.
The new variant has led to travel restrictions being introduced by some countries for several African nations. Nigeria, which neighbors Cameroon, is the latest to be added to the United Kingdom’s ‘red list’.
Clubs in Europe have been concerned on the number of players that they will do without for the one month .
Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita will all leave the Reds for Egypt, Senegal and Guinea respectively.
Gunners stars Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, Nicolas Pepe and Thomas Partey will join up with the Gabon, Ivory Coast and Ghana squads.
League leaders Manchester City will also be without Riyad Mahrez of Algeria. Algeria are the current holders from the last edition in Egypt 2019 who will be aiming to retain their title.
Africa’s football showpiece, which has already been delayed because of the global pandemic, is due to kick off on 9 January in Yaounde with the final on 6 February.