August 18 – Cameroon will learn on September 23 whether it can go ahead and stage the first expanded African Nations Cup finals in 2019 or whether it will have to step down through lack of facilities. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has called a meeting of its executive committee in Accra where officials will be presented with the report of next week’s inspection visit to Cameroon by a panel of independent experts.

Cameroon officials are dismayed at recent comments by CAF president Ahmad Ahmad which appeared to question the country’s ability to host a 24-team finals even before the inspection team has set foot in the country. This is perceived by some as a deliberate vendetta against Ahmad’s long-serving Cameroonian predecessor Issa Hayatou,
Under revised rules, the host nation for the Continent’s flagship event will have to provide a minimum of six stadiums: two of 15,000 seats, two of 20,000 and two of 40,000 seats for the opening and closing ceremonies. If Cameroon’s candidacy is ruled out, a new bid process would probably be launched in the autumn with Algeria, Morocco and Ivory Coast potential interested parties.

CAF has faced several precedents of host nations being switched late on. The latest example was in 2015 when Morocco pulled out because of fears over the Ebola virus – the country was banned for its stance – and was replaced by Equatorial Guinea. Two years earlier, South Africa supplanted Libya which was embroiled in civil war.

With Morocco having forged strong links with Ahmad and having hosted a number of CAF meetings and Ahmad visits, they are the strong favourites to pick up 2019 finals if (or seemingly more likely when) it is stripped from Cameroon.

Culled from Insideworldfootball

The Second Vice President of CAF, Constant Omari has met with Cameroonian football legend Samuel Eto’o to discuss CAF’s position on the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

The CAF boss indicated that his meeting with Samuel Eto’o was to explain the reasons behind Ahmad Ahmad’s declaration that Cameroon was not ready to host the 2019 AFCON. To him, CAF’s president was concerned about the security and safety of the African players and delegations to be sojourn in Cameroon during the football tournament.

Constant Omari added that the pronouncement was just part of CAF’s intention to hasten up preparations in the host country. The clarification from the second Vice President of CAF was appreciated by Samuel Eto’o who also moonlights as UNICEF goodwill Ambassador in Cameroon.

Source: CRTV

A Confederation of African Football-appointed inspection team will visit Cameroon for eight days from 20 August 2017 to assess the country’s progress as it prepares to host the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Cameroon government spokesman Issa Tchiroma Bakary announced the details, saying organisers should not worry.

“This inspection mission, like those that will follow throughout the process towards the deadline of the event, is not aimed at sanctioning,” said Tchiroma.

“On the contrary, it is an opportunity for any changes and consultation in order to ascertain the state of preparedness and to readjust as necessary the strategy for the full success of the event,” he added.

The 2019 tournament in Cameroon will feature 24 teams instead of 16 for the first time in history and will be held in June and July rather than January and February. Cameroon, as well as being hosts, will be the defending champions having won the 2017 title earlier this year in Gabon.

Speaking in Yaounde, Tchiroma cautioned the media to stop sending out negative signals which he said undermine Cameroon’s ability to stage this event.

He warned that such an “unjustified attitude” had led some countries to think they could step in for Cameroon to host the 2019 event, and said that sending out misleading allegations is “unacceptable, a betrayal and an act of hostility” against their fatherland.

Last month, Cameroon’s Sports Minister Ismael Bidoung assured the public that Cameroon would be ready on time. Tchiroma reiterated this, and stated that the Cameroonian government, in collaboration with the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot) will work closely with President Paul Biya as well as the Prime Minister, other companies and partners who he said are all committed to providing a good standard of infrastructure by their deadline.

“The mission will visit each of the sites selected for the event and inspect all infrastructure involved in the organisation of the event in terms of sport, hotel, roads, airport, hospitals, and telecommunications. “Each time there is an assessment, it will be followed by a general report on future deadlines,” said Tchiroma.

Culled from the BBC

What has been a fine start for the Super Eagles boss has become a tense situation, but he needs to be given room to work. There was fear of the unknown when Gernot Rohr took over as head coach of the Super Eagles, replacing Sunday Oliseh last August, but a six-game unbeaten run, which included wins away at Zambia and at home to Algeria in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, had seen a renewed believe in the national team.

However, last month’s 2-0 home loss to South Africa in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers was a reality check for the German tactician. Rohr has come under heavy criticism for his team selection in Uyo, and with the Nigeria Football Federation technical committee set to come in between the former Burkina Faso gaffer’s squad selection criteria, reports are circulating that he is ready to quit just before the Super Eagles tackle reigning African champions Cameroon in a crunch double-header next month.

It’s a match that could determine whether the West African giants make it to Russia in good time or not, but again, the fixture is in danger of being overshadowed by uncertainty at the Glass House. Rohr has denied those resignation reports but such shouldn’t be surfacing at a time such as this.

The defeat to Bafana Bafana might have been an eyesore, particularly because it was Bafana Bafana’s first competitive victory over Nigeria, but we need to be reminded that Rohr didn’t have his strongest squad available. There might have been suggestions on whom he should have started instead of the likes of Kelechi Iheanacho, Ogenyi Onazi, Elderson Echiejile, Chidozie Awaziem and Daniel Akpeyi, who were all below par that evening, but only the coach knows his best selection.

Chris Green’s NFF technical committee, football enthusiasts and other stakeholders must ensure they don’t meddle in Rohr’s affairs, especially not at such a critical time. His immediate plan is to get the Super Eagles to the World Cup next year and that’s on the horizon as they top Group B of the qualifiers and lead Cameroon by four points.
Nigerian coaches have always had a history of their operations been interfered by the NFF and this has led to them not staying too long on the job but this shouldn’t be the same for Rohr.

He might have a short-term objective but what he has laid down shows he’s building something for the future. The German has gone for youth and blended them in with some experienced faces, and it’s an approach that could yield results if given time and space. Pressure had been put on Rohr to include some players from the Nigeria Professional Football League in the Super Eagles squad. He has done that, but the truth is NPFL players are not yet ready to be blooded in these high-intensity qualifiers. The African Nations Championship is where that can be achieved.

Rohr already faces a selection dilemma with the Super Eagles, particularly with number one Carl Ikeme diagnosed with acute leukaemia and captain Mikel John Obi still trying to get back to full fitness after many months on the sidelines. What he certainly doesn’t need is outside influence from within the NFF technical committee or anywhere else. If the overall objective of making it to the World Cup isn’t reached, the Franco-German knows he has failed and his time is up. Till then, it’s best he is left alone to do what he was appointed to do.

Source: Goal.com

We reported earlier about the decision by the Confederation of African Football (Caf) to expand the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) from 16 to 24 teams and moving the competition to June/July.

Implementing the changes for the next tournament, less than two years away, heaps more pressure on the hosts of Afcon 2019 Cameroon.

Caf say they’ll go on an inspection tour in September to check on progress, with the country already facing questions over its preparations. The 50% increase in participants intensifies that.

Cameroon sports minister Ismael Bidoung told Reuters news agency:

I would like to reassure the national and international opinion that the government is fully committed to fulfilling the Caf’s specifications and to date, no Caf mission has reported any delay in preparations.”

Meanwhile Morocco have made it clear they would be prepared to step in if needed.

Source: BBC

Cameroon’s Sports Minister has said that the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations will go ahead in the country despite concerns over the pace of preparations. Recent reports suggest that stadium construction is behind schedule while Cameroon also faces economic problems.

“Despite security concerns, social and economic crises, the government and President Paul Biya are totally engaged to do everything for the Nations Cup to go ahead,” said Ismael Bidoung. In the wake of concerns aired about Cameroon’s readiness, North African nations Algeria and Morocco have recently put themselves forward as back-up options for the finals.

Bidoung said that group games will take place in five cities, with Limbe having been added to the four venues mentioned in Cameroon’s original bid: Bafoussam, Douala, Garoua and the capital Yaounde. However, more venues are needed for the teams’ training – some of which were already used when Cameroon hosted the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations last year.

“Of the 32 stadia required for the 2019 Nations Cup, the 11 that served for the 2016 Women Africa Cup of Nations are ready and functional,” said Bidoung. “For the 21 other stadia, 14 are under rehabilitation and 7 are still to be constructed.” Cameroon are the reigning African champions, having beaten Egypt in February’s final in Gabon.

Source: Vanguard

The Africa Cup of Nations could be revamped – handing European clubs a boost in the process. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) have proposed moving the tournament to the summer, outside of the regular European leagues season, as well as expanding their biannual tournament to 24 teams.

The competition, which currently takes place during January and February, denied Everton of Idrissa Gueye last season, with the midfielder representing Senegal.

With new signing Henry Onyekuru recently capped by Nigeria, as well as Yannick Bolasie a full international for DR Congo, any rule change would help the Blues and many other English clubs in the 2018/19 season. The next tournament is set to run between January 12 and February 3 in 2019, taking place in Cameroon.

“From a sporting perspective, it will allow more opportunity for footballers across the continent,” said Nigerian Football Federation president Amaju Pinnock, who is also a CAF executive committee member.

“It will increase revenue for CAF and we can triple our income. It will also force more infrastructure development.” A decision could be made within the next 48 hours.

Source: Liverpoolecho

The format and timing of the Africa Cup of Nations is up for discussion as a two-day symposium on the future of the continental game has got under way in the Moroccan capital, Rabat.

“That is the first thing to talk about – we can’t get away from it,” said Confederation of African Football (Caf) president Ahmad in his opening address. The Nations Cup’s timing in January and February has long been a source of conflict for clubs in Europe, where many Africans play.

European clubs have long been angered by losing players during a crucial stage of the season to the Nations Cup, which sparks a club v country row every two years. Compounding the clubs’ concerns is the fact that their players often come back fatigued from Africa’s flagship sporting event.

Ahead of this year’s Nations Cup in Gabon, an unprecedented number of players turned down call-ups to stay with their clubs. This included seven Cameroonians who refused to turn out for the team that eventually won the title.

The finals could also be boosted from 16 teams to 24 – while a less likely switch is for the tournament to take place every four, rather than two, years.

Source: BBC

African football legends have started a two-day symposium on the future of the beautiful game in the continent. The forum was summoned by the newly elected president of the African Football Confederation, Malagasy Ahmad four months after his electoral victory against Issa Hayatou.

Malagasy Ahmad whose campaign slogan was “Together for Change” invited prominent African football heroes and leaders of the 55 football associations that constitute the CAF body. The meeting started today Tuesday the 18th of July 2017 in Rabat, Morocco.

The continent’s biggest names in football participating in the conclave are Samuel Eto’o Fils, Bell Joseph Antoine, Abedi Pelé, Jay-Jay Okocha, Anthony Baffoe, Kalusha Bwalya and Herve Renard who has won the African nations cup with two different nations.

The participants are working in eight workshops on topics related to the organization of African Nations Cup, inter-club competitions, youth football, media, marketing and communication. Rumors had circulated in Yaoundé that CAF intended to strip Cameroon off the right to host the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

But we now understand the reforms that will emerge from this symposium will be proposed to the next General Assembly of CAF for adoption. The Rabat come together is not a decision-making body and has no statutory existence.

By Eyong Johnson with files from Cameroon Info.Net