Covid19 Forces AFCON Crowd Capacity to Be Limited, Hosts Cameroon to Get 80% Capacity

• AFCON 2021 will go ahead as planned in front of limited crowds as the Covid19 pandemic continues to pose a threat
• Covid19 has already affected the tournament, which was due to be played last year but was postponed because of the pandemic
• Cameroon as the host nation will be allowed more fans with crowd capacity capped at 80% for their games

The African Cup of Nations gets underway in Cameroon in five days' time but will have limited crowd capacity as a result of the Covid19 pandemic.

AFCON kicks off on 9 January, 2022 till 6 February, 2022 and features the 24 best teams on the African continent competing for the title.

Cameroon as the host nation will have their games capped at 80% attendance, according to The South African. All other games will be reduced to 60% attendance levels.

Measures are also in place for the limited fans attending the games. Fans must be vaccinated and produce a negative Covid19 test result before being allowed entry into stadiums. The Covid19 pandemic was one of the reasons many European clubs wanted the tournament to be postponed further, as they feared for their top stars.

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The coronavirus pandemic has already affected the tournament. AFCON was due to be played in 2021 but had to be postponed as a result of Covid19.

"After many consultations with the Cameroonian government, in light of the evolution of the health crisis and the challenges imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic, AFCON and the local organising committee have agreed an upper limit of between 60 percent-80 percent for the capacity of stadiums in the Africa Cup of Nations," CAF (African Football Federation) said, IOL reports.

Fans on social media though have been divided on the decision to limit the crowds with some arguing that it's for the best.

@ChasiRanganai

"For the good of football yes"

@BraTeye

"Even 60% is too much in my opinion."

@asskay_dee

"Clearly they know the ticket sales! That 80% will be like 2 000 fans anyway. Africa!!!"

AFCON 2021: Relief for Senegal as Watford releases key player after row

Emmanuel Adebayor lashes out at European clubs over AFCON threats

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In other AFCON news, Sports Brief earlier reported thatSenegal can breathe a huge sigh of relief after their star man Ismaila Sarr was released by Watford on Tuesday, 4 January to join his country ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Senegalese Football Federation disclosed that the 23-year-old had taken an Air France flight from London and would arrive in Cameroon in due time to represent his country at the continental showpiece.

Senegal accused the Premier League outfit of refusing to release their player for the tournament but Watford claimed that Sarr was still injured and was on the road to recovery, hence their decision not to release him.