On the eve of the kick-off of CAN 2021 in Cameroon, the African Football Confederation announced new rules which will influence the matches. Between the Covid protocol, the minimum number of players required to play a match, the possibility of losing a match on the green carpet and the rules of the 5 changes, Africa News24 {www.africanews24.digital} takes stock before the start of the tournament.
CAN 2021 will take place in Cameroon @ Africa News24
It is this Sunday January 9 that will be given the kickoff of the CAN 2021 in Cameroon. All eyes will be on Olembe Stadium for the opening match between the Indomitable Lions and Burkina Faso. After weeks of uncertainty, the high mass of African football will once again thrill fans of the continent. If it is already clear that the stadiums will not be full due to the gauges put in place due to the health context , the African Football Confederation intends to ensure that its major competition takes place with the fewest hitches.
A minimum of 11 players or one loss on the green carpet
For the occasion, the Pan-African body has lifted the veil on the vagueness surrounding the PCR tests to which players are subjected, a step prior to their participation in a match. “If the result of a player’s Covid-19 PCR test is positive, that player will not be allowed to go to the stadium or to participate in the match in question,” CAF said. Note that despite the positive cases, a team will have to come forward to play its match from the moment it has 11 players available. This provided that their tests are negative.
With great precision: “In the absence of a goalkeeper, another player of the team must replace the goalkeeper, provided that the total number of players available is at least eleven”, specifies the instance. What give rise to funny scenes during this CAN 2021, if some teams find themselves decimated by the Covid. An unlikely scenario, but one that can occur during this special edition.
Especially since it will be better to play, even with a reduced workforce, because CAF will be uncompromising despite the health context. “A team which does not have a minimum of eleven (11) players available will be considered as having lost the match 0-2”, CAF warns. Even if for exceptional circumstances, the Organizing Committee for CAN 2021 may decide as a last resort to decide on the postponement of a match.
The five substitutions rule adopted
Another expected clarification, that concerning the number of changes per match. Requested by many coaches, the rule of five substitutions has been adopted for the duration of CAN 2021. Note that as for other competitions, these five substitutions can be used during only three sessions of changes. Half-time substitutions will not be taken into account in the total count. As for the knockout phase, in the event of extra time, each team will benefit from an additional substitution and an additional substitution session. Changes may also be made before the start and at half-time of extra time.
Again with a precision which may be important. “Unused replacements and opportunities are carried over to overtime,” says CAF. A victory for the coaches, whose players’ bodies will be put to the test during this CAN 2021. Between the cases of Covid, the injuries and suspensions inherent in the competition, the technicians whose teams will go far in this edition of the CAN will have to demonstrate ingenuity and adaptability to align the most competitive teams.
