ORGANISERS OF the upcoming African Cup of Nations are confident that the global pandemic will not halt the upcoming tournament.

The Government of the Republic of Cameroon, Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Cameroonian Football Association (FECAFOOT) have reached an agreement on the COVID-19 protocols to be implemented at the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations which gets under way next week. 

This was announced by Cameroon Minister of Sport, Professor Narcisse Mouelle Kombi, Minister of Public Health Malachie Manaouda, CAF General Secretary, Véron Mosengo-Omba and FECAFOOT 1st Vice-President Céline Eko Mendomo. 

The COVID-19 pandemic and the various mutations of the novel coronavirus require everyone to take relevant and proportionate measures in order to prevent this disease which poses a serious and real threat to people, from spreading.  

In Cameroon, as has been the case elsewhere, effective measures have been taken as part of a coherent and tried-and-tested approach to counter the pandemic. The government has set up a special health protocol to combat COVID-19 that applies to the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations. 

The best 24 African football teams will participate in the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations and special measures must be taken in connection with this important and prestigious event. 

Despite the additional challenge posed by the pandemic to the global community, the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations will go ahead as scheduled on January 9 at the Olembe Stadium. 

CAF, Cameroon Government and FECAFOOT are of the view that the competition can be used to leveraged to effectively raise awareness on the steps that can be taken to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The AFCON can and must encourage participants and fans to protect themselves and others by following all the steps that currently work to stop the spread of COVID-19, such as washing and disinfecting hands, physical distancing, wearing masks properly and vaccination. 

In light of the above, the Cameroonian government, through its Minister of Health and the Minister of Sport and Physical Education, CAF and FECAFOOT have decided that:  

• Supporters may only enter stadiums to attend the 52 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations matches in Cameroon if they are fully vaccinated and are able to show a negative PCR test result that is no older than 72 hours or a negative antigen test result no older than 24 hours. 
• The competent health authorities will take all necessary action to facilitate vaccination and the performance of screening tests at all competition sites in Cameroon.  

With a view to ensuring objectiveness and neutrality as well as trust on all sides, CAF will use an independent, internationally recognised laboratory to test the national-team players and their delegations.