AFCON Organisers Make Crucial Decision About 2022 Edition Amid Cancellation Claims

AFCON Organisers Make Crucial Decision About 2022 Edition Amid Cancellation Claims

Fred Kennedy
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:51 PM
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  • It was earlier feared the 2022 edition of the AFCON could be called off due to the Omicron variant
  • However, a CAF spokesperson has clarified the competition will go on as planned
  • The development will deal Liverpool a massive blow with the club's key players set to depart to represent their countries

Organisers of the African Cup of Nations have decided to go ahead with the tournament as earlier planned, despite claims the 2022 edition could be cancelled over the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

AFCON trophy. Photo: Getty Images.
The development will deal Liverpool a massive blow with the club's key players set to depart to represent their countries. Photo: Getty images.
Source: Getty Images

There were fears the delayed competition could be called off after organisers were reportedly alarmed over the variant.

However, a spokesman for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has clarified there are no plans to postpone the tournament and it will go on as earlier planned.

"Afcon will be staged in Cameroon on 9 January 2022. That is alpha. And omega," the spokesperson said as quoted by Mirror UK.

AFCON, which is Africa's biggest competition is slated to start from January 9 in Cameroon, with Algeria looking to defend the crown.

Algeria stunned Senegal's Lions of Teranga during the final staged in Egypt in 2019 to win the competition.

Meanwhile, the latest development on the status of the 2022 AFCON will dash Liverpool's hopes, with the Premier League side primed two lose two of their key players for the month-long competition.

Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, both of who have been integral squad members for Jurgen Klopp are expected to represent their respective countries.

Their absence has been projected to have a significant negative impact on the Red's title hopes, with the club keen to reclaim the title they won in 2020.

The Merseysiders are currently placed second on the log with 37 points, four off leaders Man City.

2 Kenyans to referee at AFCON

Earlier, TUKO.co.ke reported two Kenyan referees have been selected by the Confederations of African Football [CAF] to officiate at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.

Peter Waweru Kamaku and Gilbert Cheruiyot will represent Kenya in the tournament in Cameroon and will be among some of the best officials in the game from Africa.

The two were the only Kenyans among 64 match officials included in the official list released by CAF.

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Fred Kennedy
Fred Kennedy has a Bachelor's degree in journalism (Daystar University), currently working as a Sports Editor. He has more than five years of experience in digital journalism.
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