So it’s no wonder that Biya, who has headed the country for 40 years, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino looked around with satisfaction from the stands of the stadium named after Biya. For the first time since 1972, Cameroon is host again. If everything goes according to plan, the indomitable lions will win their sixth title in the finals on February 6th.
But there is still a long way to go before the numerous corona bubbles have to hold. The guard rails are in place: the stadiums can be filled to 60 percent, and even 80 percent for host games. Cancellations are to be prevented with hard rules: If eleven players are available, the teams must compete.
“Trainers have to deal with failures”
It still works, but the corona cases are not ending. Gabon star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Arsenal FC had to isolate himself at his hotel after a positive test. With fellow favorites Senegal it has captain Kalidou Koulibaly and Chelsea-Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy caught, Morocco also reports several cases.
“I think that a lot of coaches have to deal with absences. But that won’t be an excuse for us“, said Senegal’s coach Aliou Cisse. Burkina Faso is already affected: Coach Kamou Malo and several players have tested positive, assistant coach Firmin Sanou will take responsibility for the time being.