October 3 – Africa’s football chief Ahmad Ahmad is reported to have promised Cameroon’s president Paul Biya that CAF has “never thought about” stripping the country of hosting rights for next year’s African Cup of Nations.
Last week the decision on whether to give the green light to Cameroon was deferred yet again – this time until November – amid growing concerns it would not be able to cope with the tournament being expanded from 16 to 24 teams.
But Ahmad says no pressure has been placed on Cameroon and that the decision is entirely theirs.
“CAF has no plan B. CAF has never thought about withdrawing (the tournament) from Cameroon,” Ahmad told reporters.
“Cameroon is hosting this competition. Cameroon can tell us tomorrow: ‘We are ready’ or ‘Oh no, give us time’.”
Biya and Ahmad reportedly met for an hour on Tuesday in Yaounde after which Ahmad added: “The conversation was very courteous and constructive. There were inspection visits by CAF and a private audit firm in August. There will be another soon, in November. The last, in principle.”
“President Biya was reassuring. He assured me that his country would meet its commitments on time.”
CAF and FIFA are expected to ask for specific guarantees during their visit in November, with Morocco still waiting in the wings to step in if it is deemed Cameroon cannot stage the continent’s flagship event.
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