AFCON 2023 finals postponed to 2024 over weather concerns

The 2023 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations has been rearranged and will again be played in the middle of the domestic season due to weather concerns.

AFCON 2023 was originally slated to start next summer, with the Ivory Coast hosting the tournament.

However, heavy flooding in the country at that time of year has seen the CAF Executive Committee postpone the competition from June and July 2023 to January and February 2024.

Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe said: "We cannot take the risk. January is not the ideal time because of the European clubs, but it is the only choice we have."

The move risks the wrath of top-flight managers across Europe, with many complaining about the clash with league schedules.

Liverpool lost both Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane to the tournament earlier this year, with the pair's respective Egypt and Senegal sides reaching the final, which Mane and his compatriots ultimately won.

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp called AFCON a "little tournament" before later clarifying the comment, while Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta also had to deal with the absences of Thomas Partey, Nicolas Pepe and Mohamed Elneny among others.