AFCON
Cameroon Alleges Plans to Revoke Afcon 2019 Hosting Rights
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
In a thinly veiled displeasure, the Football Federation of Cameroon (FECAFOOT) has reacted to speculations that Cameroon is not ready to host the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
FECAFOOT remarked that despite the competition being two years away, “a campaign of intoxication and disinformation” has filled the air despite the efforts deployed and assurances of the Government of Cameroon.
In a press statement signed by Tombi A. Roko, the FECAFOOT president and sent to Sports Village Square on Monday night, the football governing body frowned at statements credited to Ahmad, the CAF president at a press conference in Burkina Faso.
The statement is in French but was translated via Google translator. According to FECAFOOT statement sent to Sports Village Square, Ahmad was quoted as saying: “in the current state of things, no site in Cameroon is able to host the African Cup of Nations football”. FECAFOOT remarked that it “is deeply concerned by the fact that these remarks are made even before the first inspection mission of the CAF, scheduled for 20 to 28 August 2017”.
According to FECAFOOT which strongly suspected that there were moves to revoke the hosting rights from Cameroon, it wondered the rationale behind the proposed inspection tour since it appeared to have made up its mind that Cameroon was not going to be ready to host the premier African football competition.
FECAFOOT remarked that it was curious that the date of the first CAF inspection mission was unilaterally changed from September to August 2017 without notice. It pointed out that the successful hosting of the African Women Championship late last year should be a pointer of the excellent service delivery that Cameroon can offer.
The women football tournament took place in Yaoundé, Mfandena, Buéa and Limbe. The football went on to remark that it got letter of commendation from CAF as well as from Coup de Cœur du Jury of the Heavent Awards in Cannes which rewards the best event performances around the world.
As regards the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, FECAFOOT remarked that , on the basis of the specifications agreed with CAF, launched a vast program of construction and rehabilitation of its sports infrastructures, valued at hundreds of billions Of CFA francs.
It pointed out it is receiving assistances from friendly countries. These were enumerated thus:
• Italy, for the construction by PICCINI of the sports complex of Olembé, which includes, in particular, a covered stadium with 60,000 seats and two training stadiums, various sports facilities and a four-star hotel with seventy rooms.
• Turkey, for the construction by YENIGUN of the Japoma sports complex, which includes a 50,000-seat stadium and two training stadiums, various sports facilities and accommodation facilities for seventy rooms;
• Canada for the rehabilitation of SODEVI, the Reunification Stadium and a stadium, as well as four training grounds in Bafoussam; – France, for the rehabilitation, by the company ALCOR, Stadiums of Mbappe Lepe and Bonamoussadi; –
• United Kingdom for the rehabilitation by MOTA ENGIL of the Stade Roumde Adjia de Garoua and the construction of an annex stadium and a four-star hotel with seventy rooms; –
• United States of America, for the rehabilitation by the company PRIME POTOMAC, of four training stages, the Hotel La Bénoué and the construction of a four-star hotel of seventy rooms;
• China, for the already effective construction of the Stadiums Omnisports of Limbé and Bafoussam, approved by the CAF.
Continuing, FECAFOOT remarked that it can also boast, in addition to the support of those friendly countries and partner companies, of the Cameroonian people’s full support for the proposed organization of Africa Cup of Nations 2019.
“It is difficult, after the above-mentioned remarks by the CAF President, not to pay attention to persistent rumours about the existence of a conspiracy to withdraw the organization of CAN 2019 in favour of another CAN country:
“It is particularly curious that it has been decided that the recent reforms made in the organization of the African Football Cup, apply immediately to CAN 2019. Such a situation, which unilaterally caused the specifications previously concluded between Cameroon and CAF, amounts to a change of the rules of the game during the game.
“However, it is settled case-law that changes in the conduct of a competition do not apply to the one to be organized immediately after their adoption. For example, the decision by the FIFA Council to change the format of the World Cup from 32 to 48 teams will not apply to Russia in 2018 or Qatar in 2022.
Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe would welcome an investigation into corruption at the organisation, saying they have nothing to hide following a meeting with Senegalese officials in Dakar on Wednesday.
Senegal’s government last month demanded an investigation into corruption after the country was stripped of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title by the CAF Appeal Board, and the trophy was awarded to the final opponents, Morocco.
It follows unruly scenes in the January 18 decider in Rabat that Senegal won 1-0, but during which they left the field for several minutes in protest at a late refereeing decision.
Motsepe met with officials from the Senegalese Football Federation and Senegal president Bassirou Diomaye Faye on Wednesday, where he urged unity following the fallout from the final. He will be in Morocco on Thursday for a similar set of meetings.
“I would welcome any investigation into corruption at CAF, be it by a government or any institution,” Motsepe told reporters. “In fact, I would encourage it. We will give them our full cooperation.
“I have been told there were problems in the past and we intervened. It is not just in football, but in business and politics too. We cannot give our children the perception that if you want to succeed in life, be corrupt. There has to be zero tolerance (for corruption).
“That’s the best gift we can give football in Africa. Not just talking about corruption, but intervene, put the necessary laws in place) and implement them.”
Motsepe would not be drawn on the matter between Senegal and Morocco, which is now before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
“There is nothing I can tell you that I haven’t said already 10, 15, 20 times. You can ask me the same question 100 times, I’ll give you the same answer 100 times. I have an obligation to respect that the matter is now in front of the highest (sports) court in the world.”
Motsepe quashed any suggestion that Morocco had been treated favourably in the appeal process.
“Under no circumstances will any single country in Africa be treated more preferentially or more favourably than any other. That will never happen,” he said.
“We are confident we will come out of these challenges more united amongst the 54 nations in Africa.”
-Reuters
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
By Kunle Solaja.
Patrice Motsepe has intensified his diplomatic shuttle across African football corridors with a crucial visit to Morocco scheduled for Thursday, as the fallout from the controversial AFCON 2025 Final continues to reverberate across the continent.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed that Motsepe will meet with Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF), alongside other key stakeholders within Morocco’s football ecosystem.
Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF)
The high-level engagement in Rabat comes barely 24 hours after Motsepe’s crisis-management visit to Senegal, underlining CAF’s urgency in addressing the tensions and conflicting reports that have trailed the AFCON final.
Thursday’s meeting is expected to focus on fact-finding, reconciliation, and institutional alignment following the chaotic circumstances that marred the tournament’s climax. The Moroccan FA has been central to the unfolding controversy, with administrative and refereeing decisions from the final still under scrutiny.
CAF disclosed that the visit will conclude with a press conference in Rabat at 17:00 local time (16:00 GMT), where Motsepe is expected to address the media and possibly provide updates on CAF’s ongoing review of the final.
While details of the agenda remain closely guarded, the visit signals a continuation of Motsepe’s hands-on approach to crisis resolution, engaging directly with national federations in a bid to preserve the integrity of African football competitions.
CAF and the FRMF have indicated that further details regarding the outcomes of the visit will be communicated in due course, as stakeholders across the continent await clarity on one of the most contentious finals in recent AFCON history.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
CAF President Patrice Motsepe is set to visit Senegal on Wednesday for high-level talks with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and the leadership of the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football, in what is widely seen as a crucial diplomatic move amid lingering controversy over the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Final.
The visit comes against the backdrop of the chaotic and disputed AFCON 2025 final in Rabat, a match marred by heavy rainfall, administrative confusion, and conflicting official reports from within CAF and its committees.
The uncertainty surrounding the outcome of that final has cast a shadow over African football governance, prompting urgent calls for clarity and institutional accountability.
Sources indicate that Motsepe’s meeting with President Faye will extend beyond routine courtesy, touching on broader issues of football governance, tournament integrity, and the role of national associations in safeguarding the credibility of continental competitions.
Senegal, a major stakeholder in African football and one of the continent’s most influential football nations, is expected to play a key role in shaping the narrative going forward.
Motsepe will also hold discussions with Abdoulaye Fall, focusing on collaboration between CAF and its member associations, as well as mechanisms to prevent a recurrence of the controversies that plagued the AFCON final.
While CAF has yet to officially outline the agenda, observers believe the visit signals an attempt by the continental body to consolidate support among key football nations and manage the fallout from the final’s unresolved issues.
The optics of engaging directly with political leadership further underline the seriousness of the situation.
CAF and the Senegalese Football Federation have both stated that more details regarding the visit will be released in due course, leaving stakeholders across the continent watching closely for signals on how African football’s governing body intends to restore confidence in its competitions.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Ghana Police Detail How Berekum Chelsea Player Was Killed in Armed Robbery Attack
Ghana player Partey pleads not guilty to additional rape charges in UK
Heineken Ramps Up Champions League Activations as Quarter-Final Drama Peaks
- AFCON6 days ago
Motsepe in Dakar: CAF Intensifies Diplomatic Push After AFCON Final Dispute
- AFCON5 days ago
Shuttle Diplomacy as Motsepe Continues AFCON Final Crisis Talks with Key Visit to Morocco
- Governing Bodies1 week ago
The Building of Another Sports Dynasty: From Fahmy to Adamu
- Nigerian Football1 week ago
A Battle at Both Ends as NPFL Heads Into Home Stretch
- Boxing1 week ago
Wilder edges retiring Chisora in chaotic heavyweight boxing fight
- UEFA Champions League7 days ago
‘Fans More Friends’- Heineken Takes UEFA Champions League Fever Nationwide with Multi-City Fan Experience
- UEFA Champions League6 days ago
Late Havertz strike gives Arsenal 1-0 advantage over Sporting
- World Cup1 week ago
Seven Nations End Long World Cup Droughts Ahead of 2026 Tournament