CAF shifts AFCON dates

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has altered the dates of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals by a week following pleas by North African nations to accommodate players that would have just finished fasting for Ramadan.

In communication sent out to African nations today (Monday), the AFCON finals will now begin on 21 June with the final now set to played on 19 July.

Following requests made by North African countries that have already qualified for the AFCON finals, a CAF emergency committee met on Saturday and agreed to shift Africa’s biggest football showpiece forward.

Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria are among countries to have sent in the request to CAF.

Ramadan is scheduled to begin the evening of May 5 and will end around June 4.

Observers say a fast during daylight hours over this period may have an effect on the performance of athletes.

Zimbabwe’s qualification for the 2019 finals is yet to be confirmed with the Warriors’ fate to be decided when they clash against Congo Brazzaville at the National Sports Stadium on the 22nd of March.

The shift in dates will now give Zimbabwe 3 weeks to prepare following the conclusion of the COSAFA cup which is set to be held in Zimbabwe.