DRASTIC MEASURES

Caf limit stadium capacities at Afcon to combat Covid-19

The tournament will begin on January 9 with Cameroon taking on Burkina Faso at the Olembe stadium in Yaounde, which can seat 60,000 people.

In Summary

• The statement added that strict health protocols had been put into place for spectators, who must be fully vaccinated and present a negative test result to attend games.

• A number of teams preparing for the Afcon have also reported positive Covid-19 cases, including tournament favourites Algeria, Ivory Coast and Morocco.

The Africa Cup of Nations mascot is pictured during the presentation tour of the Cup in Limbe on December 27, 2021
The Africa Cup of Nations mascot is pictured during the presentation tour of the Cup in Limbe on December 27, 2021
Image: REUTERS

Attendances during the Africa Cup of Nations will be capped at 80 per cent for host nation Cameroon’s fixtures and 60 per cent for other games due to Covid-19, the Confederation of African Football said.

The tournament will begin on January 9 with Cameroon taking on Burkina Faso at the Olembe stadium in Yaounde, which can seat 60,000 people.

“After several consultations with the Cameroonian government ... Caf and the local organising committee have agreed to cap stadium capacity between 60-80 per cent in the Africa Cup of Nations,” the governing body said in a statement.

“The 80 per cent maximum capacity will only apply for matches of the host country Cameroon.”

The statement added that strict health protocols had been put into place for spectators, who must be fully vaccinated and present a negative test result to attend games.

Concerns about the readiness of stadiums and the spread of the Omicron Covid-19 variant have made headlines in recent weeks.

A number of teams preparing for the Afcon have also reported positive Covid-19 cases, including tournament favourites Algeria, Ivory Coast and Morocco.