Football legend Roger Milla told SNTV on Thursday that he’s certain January’s Africa Cup of Nations will be a success and that the ‘huge infrastructure’ put in place in his native Cameroon will be of significant benefit to the youth of Africa.

In a wide-ranging interview during a visit to the Dubai Sports Council (DSC), the 1990 World Cup star said that Cameroon has been ready to host the CAN since before the pandemic and although he recognised that there has been a relative decline in the strength of traditional African powerhouses such as Cameroon, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire and Egypt, he hopes CAF president Patrice Motsepe can turn the situation around.

Milla also aimed a few blows at European football administrators and their reluctance to recognse African players at award ceremonies.

“The West has never liked African players winning the Ballon d’Or,” he said. “George Weah deservedly won the Ballon d’Or and the power-men couldn’t do anything because in that year George was the best and everyone saw and was convinced that he was the best, now they don’t want African players to win.”

“In my opinion, what Mohamed Salah is doing now is wonderful and extraordinary, and what Sadio Mane is doing as well, they must be effective if we want football to develop, especially in Africa,” Milla added. “Those in charge of these football institutions must be honest and admit (their quality).”

Source: Africa News

Football fans were treated to a throwback to a bygone era at Expo 2020 with the visit of Cameroon legend Roger Milla to the country’s pavilion.

The former striker, named the best African footballer of the previous 50 years in 2007 by the Confederation of African Football, shot to worldwide fame at the age of 38 when he scored four goals for Cameroon at the 1990 Fifa World Cup in Italy, marking each one with his trademark celebratory dance at the corner flag.

Aged 42, Mr Milla came out of retirement to play in the 1994 World Cup in the USA and broke his own record for being the oldest goalscorer in a World Cup by netting against Russia.

Mr Milla, now a Roving Ambassador of Cameroon, visited his country’s pavilion in the Opportunity District, where he met officials from the pavilion and a number of fans.

In an interview with the media team at Expo, Mr Milla revealed that this 15-year-old son plays in Dubai and is enrolled with the Fursan Hispania Academy, which was founded by former Spain and Real Madrid star Michel Salgado.

“I hope that by the next year or two, he will be like his father and will be able to play for his country,” Mr Milla said.

Source: The National news

There is a real possibility that the 2021 African Cup of Nations could well be postponed or even cancelled due to problems in the host country of Cameroon, it is claimed.

The 33rd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations is scheduled to take place from 9 January to 6 February 2022 after it was originally due to be played in June and July 2021 before the CAF announced that it would be postponed due to ‘unfavourable climatic conditions’ and then because of the effects of Covid-19.

The dates of the competition mean that Milan would be without the likes of Fode Ballo-Toure, Franck Kessie and Ismael Bennacer for a few games including some important fixtures in January.

However, journalist Eduardo Hagn is reporting that AFCON is at risk for 2022 as ‘there have been legal fights between the bodies responsible for making the tournament happen’. The main problem is that the President of FECAFOOT is in his role illegally and that is why ‘postponement or cancellation are a big possibility’.

Source: Sempremilan.com

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has expressed concerns about Cameroon’s readiness to host the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The tournament will begin on 9 January 2022, and according to the competition’s Organising Committee, certain areas need ‘urgent attention’ ahead of the kick-off.

CAF said in a statement: “The Executive Committee noted the report and the progress made so far. The EXCO emphasized the need to make follow-ups with the Local Organising Committee on the areas that still need some urgent attention ahead of the kick-off on 9 January 2022.

“On the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations and Covid19 situation and preparations for supporters, the Executive Committee raised some sanitary matters that will be part of on-going discussions between CAF and Cameroon government.”

Zimbabwe is among the twenty-four countries that will participate in the tournament.

Source: Soccer24 Zimbabwe

Cameroonian football authorities and Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Friday signed a framework agreement that authorizes the Central African nation to organize the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) next year.

The framework agreement secures host rights for Cameroon and also allows the country to use the working handbook of CAF to organize the football jamboree.

Cameroon’s minister of Sports and Physical Education Narcisse Mouelle Kombi and the interim president of Cameroon Football Federation Seidou Mbombo Njoya signed on behalf of Cameroon while CAF’s vice president Augustin Senghor inked the deal.

“It is an honor for me to sign this agreement. Cameroon will surely host a wonderful AFCON,” Njoya said after signing the agreement in the capital, Yaounde.

“Cameroon is ready in many aspects to host AFCON. We hope that they will hasten up to finish the remaining works,” Senghor said.

The biennial competition is scheduled to take place in Cameroon from January 9 to February 6 next year.

Source: Xinhuanet

Cameroon football legends began inspecting football infrastructure in the country on Sunday ahead of next year’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The delegation, including former strikers Roger Milla and Samuel Eto’o, visited Japoma Stadium in the commercial hub of Douala, which will host matches when the central African nation hosts the competition next year.

Secretary General of the Presidency and delegation leader Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh said the inspection visit was intended to showcase Cameroon’s readiness to stage the championship.

“We are proud of the infrastructure in our country – everything is modern and well done. Cameroon’s football infrastructure is quite ready to host AFCON,” said Eto’o, a four-time African Player of the Year, during a tour of the stadium.

The biennial football championship will run from January 9 to February 6 with the participation of 24 teams.

Source: Xinhuanet

The Indomitable Lions grabbed a comfortable home win while Patrice Beaumelle’s men outshone their hosts in Johannesburg

Bayern Munich striker Eric Choupo-Moting scored a brace as Cameroon defeated Mozambique 3-1 in a Fifa World Cup qualifying match on Friday.

Choupo-Moting found the target in each half of the encounter and Lyon star Karl Toko Ekambi brought his goalscoring form from Ligue 1 to the Indomitable Lions’ camp to seal their victory in the 63rd minute.

Following their 2-1 loss to the Ivory Coast in September, Cameroon bounced back in style with the Bayern Munich forward breaking the deadlock at Stade Omnisports in the 28th minute.

The goal separated both teams at the break and six minutes after the restart, Choupo-Moting made it 2-0 for the hosts.

The lead was later extended by Toko Ekambi, however, the Indomitable Lions goalkeeper Devis Epassy Mboka could not keep a clean sheet as Mozambique pulled a goal back through Sporting Lisbon midfielder Geny in the 80th minute.

With two minutes left on the clock, the visitors were reduced to 10 men as second-half substitute Danilo was given a straight red card.

The victory means Cameroon now have six points after three matches in Group D while Mozambique suffered their second straight loss, and they have picked up just a point so far.

In South Africa, Ivory Coast put in a commanding display to defeat hosts Malawi 3-0 in the other group fixture.

Max Gradel opened the scoring in the 35th minute followed by goals from PSV midfielder Ibrahim Sangare and Sassuolo’s Jeremie Boga extended their unbeaten streak in Group D.

The Elephants remain at the summit of the group with seven points from three outings while Malawi are third on the table with three points.

Patrice Beaumelle’s men will host Malawi for the return fixture on Monday while Mozambique are scheduled to face Cameroon in Morocco on the same day.

Source: Goal.com

Cameroon will allow up to 10,000 fans to attend World Cup qualifier between Cameroon and Mozambique, according to the Minister of Sports and Physical Education Narcisse Mouelle Kombi.

“The Confederation of African Football has exceptionally permitted 10,000 spectators (to watch the match). Tickets are available for sale,” Kombi said in a statement on Tuesday and stressed that COVID-19 guidelines instituted by CAF and FIFA must be respected in the stadium.

The game is scheduled to take place at Japoma Stadium in the economic hub of Douala on Friday, Oct. 8. The ground has a capacity of 50,000.

Cameroonian football has been played behind closed doors since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country last year.

The Central African nation is also getting set to host Africa’s biggest football event, Africa Cup of Nations from January 9 to February 6 next year.

Source: Xinhuanet

Samuel Eto’o the former captain of the Indomitable Lions has made public his intention to run for the presidency of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT).

There was widespread rumour that the retired footballer, would run for the presidency of the Cameroon Football Federation.

Cameroon Concord News understands that it is now official, the former captain of the Indomitable Lions is a candidate vying to replace Seidou Mbombo Njoya.

Eto’o announced his candidacy via his Facebook and Instagram accounts on Tuesday, September 21, 2021.

“I am honored and pleased to announce my candidacy for the presidency of the Cameroon Football Federation,” read the statement from the former FC Barcelona and Inter Milan legend.

The four-time African best player award winner stated that he is the bearer of a futuristic and innovative project for the development of Cameroonian soccer as a whole. His credo is: “Give back to Cameroonian soccer its greatness”.

By Rita Akana