AFCON 2021 has also been postponed and will be played in 2022 in Cameroon. The tournament would have been played in January.
The news comes at the back of FIFA also postponing the September 2020 International week for The Confederation of African Football (CAF), Asian Football Confederation, The Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football and Oceania Football Confederation.
The next available international window is October and November 2020, which has now been extended by a further day.
CAF has also been afforded an additional seven days for the June 2021 international window in order to facilitate the playing of four games instead of the current two. All the changes have been necessitated by the unpredictable Covid-19.
Bafana Bafana head coach Molefi Ntseki said he is not surprised by all the changes, but there is optimism that international football will return someday.
He says we should appreciate the efforts made by the football governing authorities.
“To be honest we have no control because we are not medical personnel, but we are technical people so we all act on the advice of health authorities,” said Ntseki.
“This goes to show just how difficult it is for everyone, especially on the continent. We know that some leagues around the world are on the go, but they had to go through stringent measures to be where they are today, the same will apply with us.
“We are all aware that the Minister of Sport and Recreation in South Africa said clubs can start in small groups, but to date there hasn’t been any team on the field, except Cape Town City. “Remember for international football to be played, professional leagues have to be active, you can’t have it the other way round. National teams’ activities are guided by clubs – in short, no club football no international competition, it is that simple.”
“On the continent, there are a few leagues that are in action and that tells you that international football is still not a possibility. “So we should applaud the CAF executive for the efforts they are making for the resumption of the game.
“By postponing tournaments, they are trying to see into the future and hoping for a better tomorrow as they don’t want to put lives in danger.
“So we basically have a year to start playing, depending of course on how the pandemic is dealt with over the coming weeks and months on the continent. At international level, we just have to stay positive.
“Yes, we would have loved to have played all our matches by now, but that is beyond our control – what is in our control is hope for the future,” said Ntseki.
