The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has postponed the next African Cup of Nations (AFCON) initially set for Ivory Coast from June 2023 to January 2024.
The postponement of the 34th edition of the football tournament was made known in a statement issued on Sunday by the African football’s governing body, through President Dr Patrice Motsepe.
According to him, the competition will not be played as planned from June 2023 due to the weather conditions in the West African country.
“The 2023 AFCON will now be played between January and February 2024,” Mostepe told the media during a press conference in Morocco.
“This is one of the issues we discussed during our congress meeting here in Morocco and the official dates will be communicated later.
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“It is after deliberations we came into the decision, we have partners and even though we make decisions, it is out of respect that we take the advice we are getting that we cannot take a risk [to host the tournament] and so that is why we have made the necessary announcement today [Sunday].
“It is not good for African football to play a tournament that can be washed out, it is not good for Africa and the continent at large and so we have to postpone it.”
Motsepe, however, lauded Ivory Coast for the preparations they have already put in place to stage the tournament.
“I am happy and impressed with the infrastructure put in place by Ivory Coast in readiness for the tournament and I am sure they will host a very good tournament,” Motsepe continued.
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