African Cup: Teams must play if have 11 available players

A team at the African Cup of Nations will be required to play a match provided it has a minimum of 11 available squad members who have tested negative for the coronavirus.

Even if there is no goalkeeper available, an outfield player must play in goal to fulfil a fixture, provided there is a total of 11 players.

“A team that does not have a minimum of 11 players available will be considered to have lost the match 0-2,” the Confederation of African Football said in an update of their COVID-19 regulations that was released on Saturday.

Organizers say, however, they are within their rights to “take the appropriate decision” in “exceptional cases.”

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On Saturday, Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly tested positive for COVID-19, according to his club Napoli, and is self-isolating while on national team duty. Napoli said the center back is vaccinated and asymptomatic.

CAF also confirmed teams will be able to make five substitutions per match.

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