Update on 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Draws

The Africa Cup of Nations is a major footballing tournament on the continent of Africa, which usually grabs global attention for obvious reasons.

A baby of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), it was originally scheduled for for June and July 2021 in Cameroon, before CAF announced on January 15, 2020, it has been shifted.

CAF cited what it called logistics reasons for the shift, adding that a new date would be be announced .

The postponement of the draw is the latest snag to hit the tournament which was originally scheduled to be played in June and July 2021 in Cameroon,

When CAF announced the shift in date, it cited unfavourable climatic conditions and that the tournament would take place from January 9 to February 6, 2021.

However, on June 30, 2020, CAF moved the Africa Cup of Nations for the third time to January 2022 in response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic across the continent. The tournament will now take place from January 9 to February 6, 2022.

Algeria are the defending champions after defeating Senegal 1–0 in the 2019 edition.

Twenty-four qualified teams will be drawn into six groups of four for the tournament.

The qualified teams are; Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Malawi, Ghana, Sudan, The Gambia, Gabon, Morocco, Mauritania, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Egypt, Comoros, Algeria, Zimbabwe, Senegal, Congo, Tunisia, Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Nigeria & Benin.

This was what the confederation said concerning the shift:

At the request of CAF, the Cameroon Local Organizing Committee (LOC) has agreed to postpone the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Cameroon 2021 final draw for logistical reasons related to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The draw was initially scheduled for 25 June 2021 and a new date will be announced in due course.

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CAF continues to work together with its partners, the Cameroon government and the LOC with the objective of making the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Cameroon 2021 a successful event and a great celebration of African football.