Cameroonian legend Samuel Eto’o wants everybody to focus on the ongoing health crisis caused by the Coronarivus and put off talks about the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
The 39-year-old former Barcelona, Inter Milan and Chelsea striker was presenting the activities of his Eto’o Foundation during a live television interview with France 24 when asked about the upcoming AFCON scheduled for early next year in his homeland Cameroon.
“The most important thing right now is our health and safety. I think stakeholders of world football are aware of this and have reacted accordingly,” he said late Monday.
“The hosting of the 2021 AFCON is already a done deal for Cameroon. There is no doubt about that and it can’t be moved elsewhere. The only issue now is when and how to hold the event in safe conditions.
“I don’t think CAF president Ahmad Ahmad will risk the lives of football lovers by going ahead to hold the tournament in these conditions. I think we have to be patient and focus on how to overcome the Covid-19, which is more crucial than football. We can host the AFCON anytime, once the conditions are favorable,” he said.
CAF is reportedly mulling over the possibility of shifting the competition to mid-2021 but the ‘terrible’ rainy season during that period in Cameroon has thwarted the talks.
