CAF Set New Rule Changes for Substitution, COVID-19 Protocol for AFCON 2021

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a new rule change as regards the number of substitutions for each team in the games to be played as well as COVID-19 protocol for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon.

CAF has decided for the first time in the competition history, to permit teams to make a maximum of five substitutions per match, a significant change from the three substitution rule.

However, CAF said that in order to reduce disruptions during the games, teams will enjoy only three opportunities to make their five changes.

It added that substitutions made during halftime do not take away from a team’s three opportunities.

The CAF rule noted that whenever a match extends into extra time, each team will be afforded an additional substitution and one more substitution opportunity.

CAF has also decided on the COVID-19 protocol for the 2021 AFCON.

According to CAF,  a team will be required to play a match if they have a minimum of eleven (11) players available who have tested negative for the dreaded coronavirus.

Any team that cannot muster enough players to honour a game will be considered to have lost the match 0-2.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles fortunately have not recorded any case of coronavirus infection to any player or official as they prepare for their opening match against Egypt on Tuesday.

The Super Eagles are presently 26 players in the team’s Garoua camp, following the arrival of Venezia fullback, Tyronne Ebuehi, on Saturday.

Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa also disclosed that they are still expecting the arrival of Germany-based defender, Jamilu Collins.