Following a CAF emergency committee meeting held on Saturday in Cairo, Egypt, the continents' football federations have been informed of new dates for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
Egypt were confirmed as hosts on January 8 having bid – along with South Africa – to step in to replace Cameroon, who were stripped of the rights to stage the Afcon a month earlier due to a lack of preparation and security concerns.
Read: Why Mulenga Missed Bucs' Cup Exit
CAF has now decided to amend the start date for the competition at the request of new hosts Egypt.
In a letter sent to all federations affiliated to CAF, and seen by the Siya crew, deputy secretary general Anthony Baffoe confirms the following:
- The draw for the Afcon will take place on April 21 in Cairo.
- In its new 24-team format, the tournament will be held from June 21 to July 13 this year.
- Cameroon, who are no longer hosts, now have to win their remaining game against Comoros to qualify for the Afcon. Egypt would qualify as hosts, although they had already progressed before they were awarded the rights to stage the competition.
The letter, however, did not address the complaint from Comoros that since Cameroon were stripped they should not be allowed to participate in the Afcon as per Article 92 in the rules.
That regulation states that if a country is stripped of the hosting rights then CAF should issue a fine, forbidding them from participating and suspend them from the next two editions of the Afcon.
