New dates for 2021 AFCON announced

The Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot) says it will revert to its former time slot of January and February for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Fecafoot took to its Twitter page on Wednesday to also disclosed that the tournament will be played from January 9 to February 6, 2021.

“The #TOTALAFCON2021 will be played at #Cameroun from January 9 to February 6, 2021. Date changed for meteorological reasons at the request of Cameroon,” the tweet read in English.

La #TOTALAFCON2021 se jouera au #Cameroun du 9 janvier au 6 février 2021. Date modifiée pour des raisons météorologiques à la demande du Cameroun. @CAF_Online @AAhmad_CAF pic.twitter.com/AUGAE3nh8P

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— Fecafoot-Officiel (@FecafootOfficie) January 15, 2020

The decision was reached after a meeting between Ahmad Ahmad, president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), and the tournament’s organising committee as well as the Fecafoot.

Since 1960, the tournament was usually played in June and July but according to Fecafoot, the change was made due to the weather conditions in the country at that time of year.

In 2019, CAF had shifted the date to mid year, reason why the 32nd edition in Egypt was played in June.

With rains expected in June and July in the Western African country’s tropical climatic condition, the change became a necessity.

The change also means that the 33rd edition of the African showpiece will not clash with the FIFA Club World Cup being held in China in June 2021.