The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is still set to go ahead in January 2022 despite some parts of the Cameroon tournament needing 'urgent attention' just months ahead of its kick-off.
The competition between Africa's biggest international sides starts on January 9 and will see several Premier League players leave their club in late December to take part in the tournament, including Liverpool's Mohamed Salah.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) met on Monday to hear a report from the tournament's Organising Committee, who visited Cameroon recently to give an update on the readiness of the competition.
The African Cup of Nations set for January 2022 in Cameroon needs 'urgent attention', according to the CAF
The tournament will see the likes of Sadio Mane and Mo Salah (left to right) leave their clubs mid-season
The 'comprehensive' report stated that 'follow-ups' are needed to make sure the tournament still goes ahead smoothly.
Regarding the coronavirus situation in Africa and the of welcoming supporters into the Cameroon stadia, the Executive Committee also raised 'sanitary matters that will be part of ongoing discussions between CAF and Cameroon government.'
However, the same committee signed off the Organising Agreement between AFCON and Cameroon, which states the tournament is set to go ahead as planned.
Liverpool will be one of the Premier League teams most affected by the staging of the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, with star forward Salah joining the likes of Sadio Mane and Naby Keita in taking part in the competition.
The tournament needs urgent 'follow-ups' to help it run smoothly before its January 9 start
Salah, who currently tops the Premier League scoring charts with ten goals in nine games, will represent Egypt at the tournament, with Mane playing for Senegal and Keita flying the flag for Guinea.
Reports claimed earlier this month that African players taking part in the tournament will need to leave their top-flight clubs after the Boxing Day fixtures on December 26, to overcome any quarantine measures before the competition.
Players competing in the latter stages of the tournament, including the final on February 6, may not be ready for their Premier League clubs until the second week of the same month.
By that point,
