• There were fears the tournament would be delayed further amid the spread of the Omicron Virus.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) in a joint statement with the Government of the Republic of Cameroon, Cameroonian Football Association (FECAFOOT), regarding the plan to counter the pandemic in relation to the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations 2021 (AFCON 2021), have insisted that the African Cup of Nations will still be held in January 2022.

The organising bodies have acknowledged the seriousness of the Omicron virus and have put measures in place to prevent Cameroonians and everyone who will be at the tournament.

The African football body stressed that despite the additional challenge posed by the pandemic, the AFCON must take place as planned; the official opening ceremony is scheduled to take place on 9 January 2022 at the Complexe Sportif d’Olembé.

CAF says, in less than 25 days, the best 24 African football teams will participate in the AFCON 2021. However, special measures must be taken seriously in connection with this important and prestigious event.

The Cameroonian government, through its Minister of Health and the Minister of Sport, Physical Education, CAF and FECAFOOT, have decided that:

• Supporters may only enter stadiums to attend AFCON 2021 matches if they are fully vaccinated and are able to show a negative PCR test result that is no older than 72 hours or a negative antigen test result, no older than 24 hours.

• The competent health authorities will take all necessary action to facilitate vaccination and the performance of screening tests at all competition sites.

• To ensure objectiveness and neutrality as well as, trust on all sides, CAF will use an independent, internationally recognised laboratory to test the national-team players and their delegations.

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Augustine Eguavoen has returned to Nigeria’s bench on an interim basis, the national football federation confirmed in Abuja on Sunday.

The NFF announced the termination of Franco-German, Gernot Rohr’s contract and revealed the appointment of current Technical Director Eguavoen as the new “Technical Adviser” of the Super Eagles on an interim basis.

The German departed as Nigeria’s longest-serving manager after taking charge in August 2016 before leading them to the 2018 World Cup and a third-place finish at the 2019 Nations Cup. In 58 matches, Gernot Rohr won 31, losing 14 and drawing 13.

However, Eguavoen will start his task with preparations for next year’s Cup of Nations taking place in Cameroon from 9th January – 6th February 2022.

The former International, who was part of Nigeria’s golden generation in 1994, will be assisted by reinstated coach Salish Yusuf, former Enyimba coach, Paul Aigbogun, Joseph Yobo, Terry Eguaoje, and goalkeeper trainer Aloysius Agu.

Former Nigeria captains Augustine ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu and Garba Lawal; were all appointed to provide technical and ambassadorial support for the crew.

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Algeria through to FIFA Arab Cup semi-finals after defeating their North African rivals Morocco 5-3 on penalties in the quarter-final on Saturday at the Al Thumama Stadium.

In a North African derby after a goalless first half, Yacine Brahimi scored for the reigning African Champions in the 62nd minute before Mohammed Nahiri drew parity for Morocco two minutes later. 

Algeria took the lead in extra time for the second time in the match, but Badr Benoun equalised for Morocco in the second in the 111th minute to send the tie into penalties. 

During the penalties shootout, Algeria held their nerve Mohamed Tougai scored the crucial goal after Rais Mblohi saved Karim El Berkaoui’s penalty, the only miss of the shootout. 

As a result, Algeria will face Qatar in the semi-finals at the Al Thumama Stadium on Wednesday.

Elsewhere in the other semi-final, Egypt will face Tunisia after the pharaohs scored twice in extra time in the quarter-final to defeat Jordan 3-1 at the Al Janoub Stadium.

Ahmed Refaat and Marwan Daoud scored in the 100th and 119th minute to secure the 3-1 victory.

Earlier, Yazan Alnaimat had opened the scoring in the 12th minute for Jordan, before Marwan Hamdy equalised moments before half-time.

Both semi-finals are due to take place on Wednesday (December 15).

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Precisely 29 days to next year’s Total African Cup of Nations, host country Cameroon has named their 40-man provisional squad.

The 33rd edition will kick off on January 9 with the host and five-time winners Cameroon to open the showpiece against Burkina Faso, runners-up of 2013 AFCON, at the Olembe Stadium in Yaounde.

Cameroon in Group A alongside Cape Verde, Ethiopia and Burkina Faso. The squad will be down-side to the official 28-man as per CAF increment of players due to potential Covid-19 cases.

The continental showpiece will return to the country of legends like Roger Milla, Samuel Eto’o and Patrick Mboma – for the first time since 1972, with 24 teams set to play 52 matches.

The five cities and six stadiums ready for the tournament are Olembe and Ahmadou Ahidjo stadiums in Yaoundé, the Japoma stadium in Douala, the Kouekong stadium in Bafoussam, the Roumdé Adjia stadium in Garoua and the Limbe Omnisports Stadium will host the event.

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Following the Desert Warriors of Algeria 1-1 draw against the Pharaohs of Egypt on Tuesday, they will take on Morocco in a North African derby quarter-final on Saturday.

Mohamed Tougai put Algeria ahead in the 20th minute through a deflected shot, but Amr El-Sulya draws parity in the 59th minute of the game from the penalty spot.

The draw against Egypt also means they are unbeaten in 38 international games in all competitions.

However, Egypt earned the right to take on the Jordanians after edging Algeria in Group D. Both were level on every metric except Fair Play points, with a couple of stoppage time yellow and red cards tipping the balance ever so slightly in the Pharaohs’ favour.

• The quarter-finals battle for the North African teams 

Tunisia takes on Oman at the Education City Stadium on Friday. On Saturday, Algeria will clash with Morocco in a north African derby at Al Thumama Stadium. The same day, the Pharaohs of Egypt will come face to face with Jordan at the Al Janoub Stadium.

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