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Washout fears to delay next African Cup

Staff WritersAP
Senegal's Africa Cup of Nations title defence will start seven months later than first scheduled.
Camera IconSenegal's Africa Cup of Nations title defence will start seven months later than first scheduled. Credit: AP

The next Africa Cup of Nations tournament will take place in early 2024 to avoid any potential washout during host nation Ivory Coast's rainy season.

The executive committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) decided to switch the tournament, which was due to be played June-July 2023, to January and February of 2024.

It will be the second successive finals to take place in January and February following this year's event in Cameroon, won by Senegal over Egypt on penalties, which was rescheduled for similar reasons.

"We don't want to run the risk of having a competition that's going to be washed out," CAF president Patrice Motsepe said on Sunday at a news conference in Rabat, Morocco, where the Women's African Cup is currently taking place.

"It's not good for African football, for our image and we have to work on that basis."

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In 2017, CAF announced its decision to move the finals to a summer slot to appease European clubs reluctant to release African players during their domestic seasons.

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