African countries gear up for return to international football

Published on: 17 September 2020
African countries gear up for return to international football
ISMAILIA, EGYPT - JUNE 29: Thomas Teye Partey of Ghana and Georges Mandjeck of Cameroon during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Group F match between Cameroon and Ghana at Ismailia Stadium on June 29, 2019 in Ismailia, Egypt. (Photo by Visionhaus)

African countries are gearing up for a return to international football next month but with many borders throughout the continent still closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic most teams are headed to Europe to play.

Cameroon are travelling to the Netherlands, Guinea to Portugal, while the Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Tunisia head to Austria where it is easier for them to assemble squads because they are mostly made up of European-based players.

The next FIFA window for international football, from Oct. 5-13, is the first opportunity for African national teams to play since last November.

The pandemic saw international football cancelled for all except European countries this month, and uncertainty over travel around Africa led the Confederation of African Football to put back the resumption of official competition to November.

Next month’s window will allow African countries to play much needed friendlies to prepare for upcoming qualifiers for both the next Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup finals.

Nigeria have arranged friendlies against the Ivory Coast and Tunisia on Oct. 9 and Oct. 13 in Austria, while Cameroon have a friendly against Japan in Utrecht, after which they will stay in a training camp in the Netherlands for a few more days.

Cameroon coach Toni Conceicao this week named a preliminary squad of 33 players for the match and camp.

Guinea play the Cape Verde Islands on Oct. 10 and Gambia on Oct. 13 in Faro.

Credit: UK.reuters.com

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