Gambia coach Tom Saintfiet reacted to CAF Executive Committee’s decision to postpone 2021 AFCON for one year. And for the 47-year-old manager, that measure is not yet a solution, considering Qatar 2022 World Cup.

Talking to Gambian journalist Momodou Bah, Tom Saintfiet evokes the rescheduling of next African Cup of Nations (AFCON) to 2022.

First, the Belgian manager argued that even if CAF decided to postpone the tournament to June 2021, time will not allow it. Considering remaining qualifyers.

“I understand that they took the decision to postpone it as far as possible – June 2021 would not have helped so much because you would not have much time to play the games.” former Togo coach said.

However, Saintfiet makes assumptions about the tournament. For some WC qualifying games are yet to be played. Meaning that calendars will be really condensed in 2022.

“Naturally, postponing it to 2022, you still have to think about all the teams who are still in the running for the World Cup. Have to play also 8 qualifying matches plus the remaining four AFCON matches. It’s a lot of games to be played,” he added.

Having regards to all these parameters, is better to wait. Tom Saintfiet urges.

“At the moment we don’t know on which FIFA breaks the qualification matches would be planned, if there will be time to play friendly games to make any camps, so all these things we’re waiting for.” he concluded.

Gambia is currently on top of Group D of qualifyers with 4 points. After it brilliant 3-1 away win against Angola. And the boiling 3-3 draw against DR Congo of Cédric Bakambu.

Assan Ceesay and teammates would have played their third game against Gabon on March 26, June. But Covid-19 pandemic halted all sportive activities.