Africa Cup of Nations ‘on verge of being postponed’ over Covid fears with 40 Premier League stars in limbo over call

THE Africa Cup of Nations is on the verge of being postponed due to concerns over the Coronavirus variant Omicron, according to reports.

AFCON is scheduled to get underway in Cameroon on January 9 and the Premier League are due to lose up to 40 stars.

GETTY IMAGESSalah is AFCON’s biggest star[/caption]

GETTY IMAGESChelsea would have to rely on Kepa should Mendy play for Senegal[/caption]

GETTY IMAGESMahrez would certainly play for defending champions Algeria[/caption]

Liverpool are set to be hit the hardest with trio Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita all expected to play in the New Year tournament.

Chelsea would lose first-team goalkeeper Edouard Mendy should AFCON go ahead without any problems.

And defending Prem champions would lose Riyad Mahrez.

But according to Egyptian journalist Ismael Mahmoud, Prem clubs could be handed a boost with a postponement of the tournament most likely to happen.

The other alternative on the table is the tournament continues, but without players playing in European countries.

However, CAF General Secretary Veron Mosengo-Omba is determined for the tournament to go ahead, and says he is ‘not resting’ to make sure it happens.

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He said: “The meetings were important in getting a level of understanding on the state of readiness in Cameroon.

“There is a lot of work that is being done. We have to continue with the same momentum. We cannot rest. We have to work around the clock.

“I’m not resting, the LOC cannot rest. CAF cannot rest. Everyone must join the efforts. We want to see a great TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations here in Cameroon in January next year.

“Together with the Minister of Sport, we discussed all the pending issues and the way forward.”

Sky Sports announced on Wednesday morning they’re scheduled to show all 53 AFCON games.

Sky Sports Director of Football, Gary Hughes said: “This is excellent news for football fans, who love to watch the best players in the world including Mohammed Salah, Sadio Mane and Riyad Mahrez.

“We’re delighted to be adding this fantastic competition to our ever-expanding football offering in the UK & Ireland which already includes Premier League, EFL, Scottish Premiership and FA Women’s Super League as well as international action in the form of World Cup Qualifiers, placing Sky Sports as the home of live football.”

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