The postponement to September of the first two days of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup, scheduled for June, has been confirmed by CAF and FIFA.  The coaches, who have taken note of this decision, are starting to organize themselves to take advantage of the next international dates.

From our correspondent in France,

If all goes well, the second round of qualifying for the  2022 World Cup in Qatar will begin next September. The first two days, first scheduled for last October, had been postponed to June 2021, due to the Covid-19 epidemic. This time, it is another reason which pushed the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA to shake up the calendar once again.   

A report published by the governing body of African football specifies that 22 countries do not have stadiums approved and suitable for hosting international matches, including Mali, Senegal, Malawi, Burkina Faso, Liberia and the Central African Republic, all of them concerned by the qualifiers of the great Qatari raout.

”  It is still a little embarrassing from the point of view of the structures of several countries, and I do not think that this problem dates from today  “, notes Hubert Velud,  the French coach of Sudan  .  The technician still plans to play one or two matches for his team at the end of May or early June.  “  Before this postponement of the two days, we had a friendly against Zambia in Khartoum, on May 30 or 31.  But as it will be very hot in Sudan at this time, we will also study the possibility of playing elsewhere, in a place where the temperatures are more bearable. “

A quadrangular tournament in Turkey?

Turkey could be a prime destination for several selections.  A tournament in Antalya bringing together Niger, Mauritania, Tanzania and Congo is in particular under consideration.  “This postponement, we must accept it, the time to do the necessary work.  And then, in September, we may be able to welcome the public.  But for me, it is essential to play in June”,  assures  Jean-Michel Cavalli , the coach of Niger  .

”   There is this possibility in Turkey, but there are other tracks,”  confirms his compatriot Corentin Martins, who leads Mauritania, also requested by Algeria for a friendly match on June 3, in Blida.  “   We have to play on June 22 against Yemen in Doha, in the play-off for the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup.  We will need to prepare, knowing that my selection may be made up of locals and expatriates, as many players will resume training in Europe at the end of June.   “

Magassouba: “A reasonable decision”

Mohamed Magassouba, the coach of Mali, also accommodates this postponement.  “  It’s a reasonable decision.  There was a plan A, that is to say the two qualifying matches for the World Cup.  And a plan B, with an internship and at least one friendly match.  We are working on plan B  ”, explains the Malian technician, without giving more details.  In Djibouti, Julien Mette is currently in expectation.

The French coach  of the Red Sea Sharks  faces a tight schedule.  “   I am in charge of the Under-20s, who are preparing for the Arab Cup in Egypt in June, and the Under-23s, who will participate in the CECAFA Cup of the category, in July in Ethiopia.  Normally, Selection A is scheduled to play in the FIFA Arab Cup play-off on June 22 or 23, in Qatar against Lebanon.  If this is confirmed, we will play a friendly match to prepare.   “

According to our information, many African selections are looking for friendly matches for the month of June.  “   The phone has been ringing a lot for the past few days.  We will have to find matches, places for training courses, and with the health crisis, visa issues, it is not easy, and we will have to act very quickly.  As the selections of the other continents are already occupied, there should be many confrontations between Africans,  ”explains an agent specializing in the organization of  international friendly matches  .

The dates left vacant by the postponement of the first two days of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup will undoubtedly be quickly filled