AFCON

COVID-19 rules issued ahead of 2021 AFCON kick-off

Published

3 years ago

January 9, 2022

Health concerns are given prominence as the 33^rd Africa Cup of Nations is about to kick-off. On the eve of the most postponed edition, the governing body, CAF set a new guidelines & rules regarding the substitutions and COVID-19 cases.

Ahead of the kick-off, almost all the 24 teams have had one issue or the other regarding the global pandemic, COVID 19.

The number is alarming in some teams. For instance, Nigeria’s last group opponents, Guinea Bissau recorded 10 positive cases in their camp just three days to kick-off.

Egypt have had to drop their first choice goalkeeper, Mohamed Abo Gabal as well as trainer Essam El Hadary .

To ease the process of completing all games on time, the CAF have laid down some rules regarding the virus, stating that teams must play their matches provided they have a minimum of 11 players available.

Moreover, in case of the absence of all goalkeepers, an outfield player must go between the sticks, provided the total number of available players is at least 11.

If a team fail to field 11 players, they will be considered to have lost the match by a scoreline of 0-2; however, the in case of exceptional cases, the Organizing Committee of the compeition will be the one to take the appropriate decision.

And regarding the number of substitute players per match, CAF have permitted each team to use a maximum of five substitutes, with a maximum of three opportunities to make substitutions during the game and at half-time.

Unused substitutions and opportunities are carried forward into extra time, where teams will each be allowed one additional substitution and an extra substitution opportunity.

These rules will first take place as hosts Cameroon go head-to-head with Burkina Faso in the opening game of group A on Sunday, three hours before Ethiopia take on Cape Verde.

Number of substitute players per match:

CAF will apply the five substitutions per match rule during this competition, as follows:

Each team will be permitted to use a maximum of five substitutes.
To reduce disruption to the match, each team will have a maximum of three opportunities to make substitutions during the game; substitutions may also be made at half-time.
If both teams make a substitution at the same time, this will count as one of the three opportunities for each team.
Unused substitutions and opportunities are carried forward into extra time.
Where extra time is played, teams will each be allowed one additional substitution, and will have one additional substitution opportunity; substitutions may also be made before the start of extra time and at half-time in extra time.

Minimum number of players in case of a team affected by COVID-19

If the result of the Covid-19 PCR test of any player is positive, such player will not be authorized to go to the stadium or participate in the applicable match.
A team will be required to play a match if they have a minimum of eleven (11) players available who have tested negative. In the event of the absence of a goalkeeper, another player from the team must replace the goalkeeper, provided the total number of available players is at least eleven.
A team that does not have a minimum of eleven (11) players available will be considered to have lost the match 0-2.
In exceptional cases, the Organizing Committee of the Africa Cup of Nations will take the appropriate decision.

AFCON

NFF condoles with SuperSport and families of slain media men heading for AFCON match

Published

16 hours ago

October 12, 2024

Kunle Solaja

The Nigeria Football Federation has commiserated with families of the three persons who were killed by kidnappers in an ambush on the Ihiala-Orlu Road in Anambra State, on Tuesday, 8^th October 2024.

Information gathered on the incident revealed that the bandits opened fire on the bus in which the SuperSport operatives were travelling, with Staff and security personnel on board, and the attack immediately resulted in the deaths of a cameraman, a police officer and the bus driver.

President of NFF Ibrahim Musa Gusau stated that the past few days have been very sad for the Executive Committee members, as well as the Management and Staff of the NFF. “Yes, we won the match against Libya and took three points, but the fact that three lives were lost created a situation in which we were unable to celebrate properly, and it hurts seriously to even think back at the unfortunate incident.

“Nigeria football has had a long and fruitful relationship with SuperSport. The organization has been a strong ally in helping to fulfil the objective of the NFF in spreading joy to Nigerians through football, and they have been very professional and dedicated in their service. We share in their pain and sorrow at this period. Our prayer is that the Almighty will comfort the SuperSport family and the families of the deceased, and also grant the deceased eternal rest.

“At the same time, we pray for the safe return of the one person still unaccounted for, so that he will happily link up with his family and return to his job in good health. We also thank the security forces immensely for their efforts since this incident started.”

The SuperSport crew was on the way to Uyo to broadcast the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match between Nigeria and Libya, played on Friday at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.

It was reliably gathered on Saturday that a total of 14 persons were in the vehicle at the time of the ambush. Eight persons were eventually rescued, two escaped on their own, three were killed and one person is still unaccounted for.

AFCON

Bafana Bafana spell Congo with goals

Published

22 hours ago

October 12, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Teboho Mokoena was the star of the show on Friday evening as the South African anchor scored a brace to contribute to a clinical 5-0 win over Congo at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth).

The Group K clash saw Bafana Bafana play host the Congo side that was desperate for a result, but was met by a ruthless host that was clinical in front of goal.

Mokoena opened the scoring with a clean header in the in 12th minute before a thunderbolt strike from the edge of the box to complete his brace

His Mamelodi Sundowns teammate, Bathusi Aubaas made it three just before the break to put the match beyond reach for the visitors.

Coming back from the break, the hosts continued to dominate proceedings and were duly rewarded in the 52nd minute when Lyle Foster found the fourth.

Iqraam Rayners sealed the historic victory for the former champions with an easy tap in following a blunder by the keeper to make it five with no response from Congo.

The result sees the South Africans tied on points with Uganda as the race for a top finish intensifies in Group K.

AFCON

Cote d’Ivoire edge closer to AFCON qualification

Published

22 hours ago

October 12, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Cote d’Ivoire reinforced their dominance in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 qualifiers, commanding a 4-1 victory over Sierra Leone on Friday.

The Elephants, who entered the match with two wins from two, took an early lead through Nicolas Pépé in the second minute at the Laurent Pokou Stadium.

However, Sierra Leone responded before half-time with a goal from Alhassan Koroma to level the match.

The Ivorians regained control in the second half when Franck Kessié restored their lead with a 51st-minute strike, assisted by Séko Fofana.

Kessié doubled his tally in the 75th minute before Oumar Diakité sealed the win with a late penalty, keeping Côte d’Ivoire on top of Group G with maximum nine points.

The victory brings them one step closer to qualification for the tournament in Morocco.