CAMEROON MAY LOSE AFCON 2019 HOSTING RIGHTS

BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

The initial looming danger of Cameroon losing the hosting rights of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations has resurfaced. Rising on Friday from a two-day meeting at the Egyptian holiday resort city of Sharm El Sheikh, some 500 km from Cairo in Egypt, the CAF Executive Committee reported that a projected video report on Cameroon’s preparation for the competition “showed a significant delay in the realization of the infrastructures”.

A final decision is therefore expected in November after a last inspection visit of audit firm, Roland Berger and CAF.

Slow pace of facility development is not the only reason being put up for the possible revocation of the earlier hosting rights to Cameroon.

Security challenges are also being adduced. There have been on-going crisis between the largely Anglophone western Cameroon people and the majority French speaking parts of the country.  The CAF Executive Committee report states that a joint CAF and FIFA commission will travel to Cameroon in October to study the security issues. The Africa Cup of Nations with its new 24-team format will be held from June 15 to July 13, 2019.