The CAF president has confirmed that he will play in the Nations Cup in Cameroon

African Football Confederation (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe on Tuesday confirmed that the African Cup of Nations is scheduled to go ahead in Cameroon from January 9 to February 6, ending concerns that the already delayed finals may be postponed again.

The announcement comes after a meeting between Cameroonian President Motsepe and Paul Biya after worries about the lack of organization for the 24-team tournament, incomplete construction work and the threat of a coronavirus outbreak, as the Omicron variant was spreading rapidly.

“I will be here on January 7 and I will come to watch football,” Motsep told reporters. “I’m going to watch Burkina Faso in Cameroon on January 9 (the opening match). I’ll also be watching when the trophy is awarded.”

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European clubs, when most players in the tournament play regularly, are concerned about the rise in the number of COVID-19 cases.

Motsep confirmed stringent test measures for players and staff, adding on Tuesday that viewers would have to show evidence of negative PCR tests.

“We must always identify problems and challenges, and not move away. We must have the confidence and belief that we can overcome them,” he said.

“No one will enter the stadium without a (negative) PCR test. We will have to protect the fans there. Of course, there will be concerns about fake tests, but we are dealing with these problems.

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“We need to have confidence and belief in ourselves as Africans. And we need to have confidence and belief that we can host a very successful Nations Cup in Cameroon.”

Cameroon was initially scheduled to host the 2019 final, but the tournament was moved to Egypt when CAF saw that the Central African country was not ready.

It was then given the 2021 championship, and has been delayed for 12 months since the COVID-19 pandemic.