Hosts of the 2023 Cup of African Nations, Guinea have revealed a June tournament in 2023 in order to accommodate a November 2022 World Cup would be impossible.
FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke had previously revealed that the Confederation of African Football had nicely agreed to reschedule the 2023 Nations Cup to June to accommodate a November – December 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
However, Guinea Sports Minister Domani Dore stated on Tuesday that a June Nations Cup would be impossible in the country as it falls in the heavy raining season there.
“There is no question of organizing the 2023 African Cup of Nations in Guinea in June.” Dore said, adding “It is the rainy season. It is raining heavily, and you cannot play.”
Guinea’s Sports Minister also added that “CAF cannot consider postponing the 2023 African Cup without talking to the Guinean authorities.”
The 2023 Nations Cup was awarded on-the-spin to Guinea after losing out to Cameroun and Cote D’Ivoire for the 2019 and 2021 editions which it initially ran for.
Guinea’s stance concerning the competition schedule could force a compromise, with FIFA expected to confirm the 2022 World Cup schedule in April.