Algerian footballer Adlene Guedioura believes the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations should be postponed or cancelled in the wake of the disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The tournament is due to be hosted by Cameroon between January 9 and February 6. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted football activities globally with most of the top leagues suspended while those in France and the Netherlands have been cancelled.
Guedioura, an AFCON champion with the Desert Foxes in 2019, told the BBC that the move will help many of the nations and many players also who represent Africa globally.
“I know that Africa Cup of Nations is important and it’s good for the countries to organise it but this one in 2021 I think it should be cancelled or postponed,” Guedioura told the BBC.
“First they said it was in summer, then in winter, now we have the coronavirus which makes it more difficult to complete the qualification games.”
The tournament’s dates were switched from the initial slot of June-July due to weather reasons at Cameroon’s request. The AFCON tournament is usually held in January but was moved and held in the summer for the first time in 2019.
“I think they should decide maybe to have it later,” Guedioura, who plays for Qatari club Al Gharafa, added. He has also previously played for English clubs Crystal Palace, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Watford.
Guedioura said that going off to represent one’s country in the middle of the European football season meant that one could return immediately to play for his club and probably get injured or lose their place in the team.
“If you’re not Salah or Mahrez or Mane, if you’re a player who always has to fight for his place, the manager can decide to pick other players which isn’t good.”
He believes the better option would be to hold the tournament during the European summer as was the case in 2019.
Guedioura added that a postponement or cancellation of the tournament would not surprise him given the devastating effects the coronavirus has had on football so far.
“This coronavirus you have to think about safety of people and football comes very last unfortunately. To organise the qualifying games is going to be very difficult.”
