The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has postponed the opening round of the 2022 Qatar World Cup qualifiers to September/October from June due to the current COVID-19 pandemic situation.
According to a statement by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) made Available to the ZamFoot Crew after putting into consideration the current challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The CAF Emergency Committee, in consultation with FIFA, decided to postpone the CAF qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 that were due to be played in June 2021 after taking into consideration the current challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, and the need to ensure the optimal playing conditions for all participating teams,” reads the statement from CAF.
“CAF is assessing its protocols and processes to enhance the implementation of Covid-related protocols, including specifically focussing on pre-match testing which had been the source of some challenges in previous windows.”
CAF is expected to release a new schedule with adjusted dates for the Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
The Chipolopolo boys were supposed to start their World Cup qualification campaign with a date away in Mauritania in the first weekend of June between 5-8. A week later, 11-14 June Chipolopolo they were expected to host Group B favorites and perennial World Cup campaigners Tunisia.
The 2012 Africa Cup of Nations champions would have then traveled to Equatorial Guinea on matchday three which should have been followed by Nzalanga Nacional visiting Zambia in back-to-back battles between September 1-4 and 5-7.
Chipolopolo would have had another home game against Mauritania between October 6-9 before traveling away to Tunisia for the final qualification match between October 10-12, 2021.
The winners of Zambia’s Group B and the other nine groups will face off in a two-legged playoff to decide the FIVE (5) who shall make it to Qatar.
There are 10 groups and Only teams that will be Topping the Table at the end of the Qualifiers Will qualify to the Play-Offs round where they’ll have to play a home/away knock-out contest, out of which five teams will qualify for the World Cup which will be held in Qatar November/December 2022.
I personally feel June would have been an ideal time to play these games. Most Leagues will be on recess and players from Europe are available. September and October i hope guys like Fashion and Daka will be at new clubs settling. Just hope they will be released to play for the National Team.
What if CONVID cases increase in September/October, what happens? In Africa CONVID-19 cases are not vey bad. CAF decision making sometimes is questionable.
Let them talk about the stediam not about covid-19, because what about if covid-19 continue, what should the going to do.
Let them talk about the stediam not about covid-19 because what about if covid-19 continue what is the going to do
Dear Editor, your material on this platform is highly appreciated. May you please initiate a discussion surrounding a succession plan. What has happened to Zambian developmental football ? In the past the development was clear to a point that we have players like Fashion, Enock and Paston. If my memory serves me right this development of Patson, Enock and Fashion happened during the Kalusha Bwalya s Administration. Kamanga and team found these boys already on the developmental team. My concern we do have the same currently. When Kamanga and team leave FAZ house. The new administrators wont have find a developmental team to work with, and that’s a cause for concern. Please let’s start this discussion
This decision in a way favours South Africa with coaching challenges! They have just appointed a new coach who requires time to reorganise and prepare Bafana Bafana. I see the hand of the newly appointed CAF president.
Mr Mulenga youth dev teams are there my friend! Except you cant appreciate the work current Faz has initiated in the past two years! Unfortunately you looking at the matter through the eyes of Kalusha did that and did this! Move on we are in covid19 era. Football has been affected negatively by the pandemic. The last youth tournament was cancelled just a few days b4 starting in Morocco! All this is part of the setbacks as a consequence of Corona. Remember Faz have fought a formidable battle with the ministry of sport in last 18 months! Again this clearly affected football. Faz suggested a national coach last year in August, approval was granted this year in February a few weeks b4 the commencement of afcon games! Imagine!