The opening ceremony of the 33rd edition of the Afcon is only hours away, but newly introduced rules will set it apart from previous editions
The Confederation of African Football, CAF, has announced a new rule change regarding the number of substitutions for each team in the games to be played at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
For the first time in the competition history, CAF has decided to permit teams to make a maximum of five substitutions per match – a significant shift from the three substitution rule.
But teams will enjoy only three opportunities to make their five changes to reduce disruptions during the games.
However, substitutions made during halftime do not take away from a team’s three opportunities.
Whenever a match extends into extra time, each team will be afforded an additional substitution and one more substitution opportunity.
CAF has also decided on the COVID-19 protocol for the 2021 Afcon.
According to the continent’s football governing body, a team will be ‘required to play a match if they have a minimum of eleven (11) players available who have tested negative for the dreaded coronavirus.
Any team that cannot muster enough players to honour a game will be considered to have lost the match 0-2.
Fortunately, Nigeria’s Super Eagles have not recorded any case of coronavirus infection to any player or official as they prepare for their opening match against Egypt on Tuesday.
There are presently 26 players in the team’s Garoua camp, following the arrival of Venezia fullback Tyronne Ebuehi on Saturday.
Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa revealed earlier that they are still expecting the arrival of Germany-based defender Jamilu Collins.
2019 Afcon top goalscorer Odion Ighalo, who featured for Al-Shabab in their 1-1 draw at home to Abha on Saturday in a Saudi Arabia league clash, remains a major doubt for Afcon 2021.
The tournament, scheduled to run until February 6, kicks off today, January 9, with the opening match between hosts Cameroon and West African neighbours Burkina Faso.
This post was last modified on January 9, 2022 1:10 pm
View Comments
When Nigerians are wishing Watford to be relegated, Watford fans are wishing you the opposite. You see niggers think like bitches. Even though am a Nigerian, Nigerian citizens mentally is , what if Dennis had join the squad will you guys be Happy if Watford fans say Nigeria wont go beyond the group stage
If you like be a Nigerian or not u are a disgrace, no place is better than home.
Nigger calling be a disgrace, where is home exactly ️
Am sorry if you niggers find this disgraceful, but what I said is the truth Watford hope there players flourish at the afcon while you guys are saying they would be relegated. Isn't the same Watford that release your captain because they hold back one players you guys started saying dey would be relegated
Bad spelling and "one players" they are mistakes,
Hey bro they released ekong because that dude is not important to the team (call Watford) after does mistakes in made in premier league games, like breadford, Leicester city game etc. But Emmanuel Dennis, one of their most outstanding player, if not their best player for last year 2021, to released him was another story entirely and I'm sure that Watford club knows that the Nigeria men national football team have issue in the front line presently; osimhen, onuachu, ighalo are not available. So why the selfishness, maybe because we are not one of those European country right.
Very unfortunate, some People are just lost. Home is home, no máster what is happening in Nigeria, I will not trade Nigeria for any country in the World, not London for my own village in Delta.
CAF did well to introduce these rules aimed at avoiding postponement of matches. It'll be really unfortunate for any team disadvantaged by d coronavirus conundrum. Such is life!