The 2021 Africa Cup of Nations will be played in January and February instead of June and July, hosts Cameroon have announced.
The changes had to be made because of the “unfavourable” weather in the country at that time of year. It is now scheduled to start on 9 January.
Confederation of African Football (CAF), deputy general secretary Tony Baffoe confirmed the development. He said:
We have reviewed the period of the competition as requested by the Cameroonian party due to unfavourable climatic conditions during the period initially slated.
After listening to the various arguments and viewpoints – and in particular, from the Cameroonian meteorological authorities, the coaches and players – the representatives of the Afcon organising committee, which received the mandate from Caf Executive Committee to take the decision, has granted this request.
A detailed report shall be presented to the members of the Executive Committee during its next session on 6 February.
The 2019 tournament in Egypt was the first, and only one so far to be held in June/July.
Cameroon had been scheduled to host the 2019 Cup of Nations but were stripped of that honour in November 2018 because of delays in the progress of its preparations.