Ivory Coast and Mali’s friendly match, which was scheduled to take place on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, has been cancelled off due to heavy rain.
The match was being played at the Stade de Ebimpé in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, and the rain began to fall heavily just before kickoff. The referee decided to abandon the match after 30 minutes of play, when the conditions became unplayable.
The weather is the main reason why the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) was moved from June to January.
The tournament is usually held in the summer, but the weather in June and July can be very rainy, which can make it difficult for players to perform. By moving the tournament to January, the organizers hope to avoid the worst of the weather.
The decision to move the AFCON was not without controversy. Some people argued that it would disrupt the European club season, as many African players play for European clubs. However, the organizers argued that the move was necessary to protect the health and safety of the players.
The rain delay is a setback for both Ivory Coast and Mali, who were both looking to use the friendly match as a warm-up for upcoming international matches.
Ivory Coast is scheduled to play Zambia in a World Cup qualifier on September 16, while Mali is scheduled to play Guinea in a friendly match on September 19.
Despite the rain delay, both teams are confident that they will be ready for their upcoming matches.
The rain delay is a reminder of the challenges that African teams face when playing in the summer. However, the organizers of the AFCON are confident that the tournament will be a success in January.
