Bafana Bafana's Africa Cup of Nations back to back qualifiers against Sao Tome and Principe have been called off, a statement from the continent's governing body CAF confirmed late on Friday evening.
In light of the coronavirus, which has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation, all Total CAF Afcon qualifiers for the 2021 showpiece in Cameroon, which were scheduled for this month, will now be rescheduled.
CAF stated the following reasons:
- Coronavirus has been declared a pandemic by WHO
- In Africa, only a few cases have been reported, but the situation could evolve negatively
- Several players who are supposed to play the nest Afcon qualifiers come from countries which have been severely affected by the virus (Europe, Asia)
- Several African governments have taken strong restrictions on travels: lockdown, quarantine for people coming from countries affected by the virus
- Several clubs refuse now to release their players for the next international matches
Bafana would have faced Sao Tome home and away later this month, with players expected to assemble on March 22 in Johannesburg – some arriving from France, England, Belgium and Asia to report for camp.
"We will also share with you a proposal of a new calendar that will be communicated on a second step, according to the evolution of the coronavirus situation," read a statement from CAF sent to partners and member associations.
