2022 World Cup: Mali Among Eight African Nations Barred From Hosting Ties - Liberty TV/Radio - News - Voice For All! Vision For Alll!
Editor 6
August 14, 2021
Other nations that must use a neutral ground for a home fixture between September 1-8 are Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Djibouti, Guinea-Bissau, Malawi, Namibia and Niger.
Mali boasted six international-standard stadiums, including two in Bamako, when they staged the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations.
Poor stadium maintenance is a major problem in Africa and South African Patrice Motsepe warned offenders soon after being elected CAF president this year to rectify the situation or face the consequences.
The bans were confirmed when FIFA released the fixtures for the first two rounds of a group programme that also involves double matchdays in October and November.
All 40 teams bidding for five places at the 2022 finals in Qatar will play two fixtures — one home and one away — during September.