The African Nations Championship (CHAN), scheduled for Cameroon from April 4-25, has been postponed indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic, the organisers announced Tuesday.
“Despite the relatively low rate of COVID-19 spread onthe continent compared to other parts of the world, it is difficult to predictits evolution,” a Confederation of African Football (CAF) statement said.
“The restrictive and precautionary measures taken byvarious governments to prevent the spread of the virus has made it increasinglydifficult for people to move from one place to another.
“Given these challenges, and in order to avoid riskingthe health of players, officials, partners and fans, CAF in consultation withthe relevant Cameroonian authorities has decided to postpone the CHAN to alater date.”
The CHAN is confined to footballers playing in their countryof birth, unlike the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN), also a two-yearly competitionbut with no restrictions.
Because many African nations rely heavily on foreign-basedstars for the Cup of Nations, CAF introduced the Nations Championship in 2008to give more local players international exposure.Morocco were due todefend a title they won in Casablanca two years ago and former championsinclude the Democratic Republic of Congo (twice), Tunisia and Libya.