Confederation of African Football (CAF) has cancelled the 2021 U17 Africa Cup of Nations which was due to start this week in Morocco.
The development comes after a decision by the CAF Emergency Committee that sat yesterday (Monday, 8th March) to discuss developments regarding Morocco closing its airspace and borders.
It should be noted that authorities in Morocco last week suspended all flights to and from several countries as part of efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Some of the countries that Morocco imposed a ban include; Italy and Belgium.
Additionally all flights between Morocco and Denmark, Brazil, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, the UK, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, Turkey, Austria, Portugal, Sweden, the Czech Republic, and Ukraine were also suspended.
Four countries including Uganda, Zambia, and Senegal, and Ivory Coast had already arrived in Morocco so far in preparation for the final tournament that was supposed to take place from 13th to 31st March.
Reports indicate CAF has already reached out to Tanzania to serve as emergence hosts to the Championship.
It should be noted that the East African nation hosted the previous edition in 2018 and is one of the few countries that have allowed football activities including allowing fans into stadia to move on normally.
With the CAF elective Assembly meant to take place in Rabat on Friday this week, CAF has not issued an update on whether it will go on or not.
It is reported that there is a contingent of CAF staff currently stranded in Morocco and another group who are in Cairo, Egypt barred from traveling to Morocco.
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