July 13 – Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe has confirmed that next year’s Africa Cup of Nations will be hosted by Cameroon following months of speculation over the future of the 2022 tournament.
The South African football boss was unequivocal when asked if CAF required a plan B for staging the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
“Very good meetings have been taking place between CAF and the government and local organisers in Cameroon and I have no doubt in my mind that we will host a very successful Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon,” said Motsepe.
“I have three plans. Plan A is the AFCON next year in Cameroon. Plan B is the AFCON next January in Cameroon and plan three is that we are going to host something that should make all of us proud.”
“There is work ongoing to make sure that it will be world-class quality. Yes, there are discussion and ongoing progress and an ongoing commitment that AFCON next year is going to be very good.”
In August, the final draw will he held, with the tournament scheduled to be played from January 9 to 6 February. CAF had to postpone the finals twice because of the global health crisis.
Last month, during a visit to Cameroon, CAF Secretary General Véron Mosengo-Omba dismissed rumours that said Cameroon could again be stripped of hosting the continent’s flagship tournament. In 2019, the Africa Cup of Nations was taken away from Cameroon because CAF doubted the country’s infrastructure was up to scratch to host a 24-team tournament.
“The African Cup of Nations will be organised in this beautiful country in January 2022,” said Mosengo-Omba. “That is clear. We have to be clear about that.”
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