The Confederation of African Football, CAF, has announced a shift in the dates for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
In a statement on Sunday by President Dr Patrice Motsepe, CAF said the 34th edition earlier scheduled for between June 23 to July 23, 2023, in Ivory Coast will not hold as planned.
Africa’s football governing body cited weather conditions in the West African nation as the cause of the postponement.
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Speaking during a press conference in Morocco, Mostepe said, “The 2023 Afcon will now be played between January and February 2024.
“This is one of the issues we discussed during our congress meeting here in Morocco and the official dates will be communicated later.
“It is after deliberations we came into the decision, we have partners and even though we make decisions, it is out of respect that we take the advice we are getting that we cannot take a risk [to host the tournament] and so that is why we have made the necessary announcement today [Sunday].
“It is not good for African football to play a tournament that can be washed out, it is not good for Africa and the continent at large and so we have to postpone it.”
Motsepe, however, commended Ivory Coast for the level of preparations already put in place to stage the tournament.
“I am happy and impressed with the infrastructure put in place by Ivory Coast in readiness for the tournament and I am sure they will host a very good tournament,” Motsepe said.
