• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
No Result
View All Result
1
Home Sport

Cameroon stripped of right to host 2019 African Nations Cup

1 December 2018, 7:41 AM  |
Reuters Reuters |  @SABCNews

Cameroon has been stripped of the right to host the 2019 African Nations Cup finals due to delays in preparations for the tournament and security concerns.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed the unanimous decision after a meeting of its executive committee in Accra on Friday.

Morocco is the favourite to take over the hosting of the expanded 24-team tournament, which is being held from June 15-July 13, with the preferred candidate to be named by Dec. 31, CAF said in a statement.

Cameroons ability to host the finals was first questioned when CAF announced in July last year that the tournament would have eight additional teams and only countries capable of putting on world-class tournament, with complete facilities and extensive infrastructure would be allowed to stage the event.

Morocco immediately said it was ready to replace Cameroon, beginning more than a year of claims and counter-claims that CAF intended taking the tournament away from Cameroon and giving it to the northern African country.

CAF sent several inspection teams to check on the progress of the construction of five stadiums proposed for the tournament.

“After having heard from representatives of the governmental and sports authorities of Cameroon, and reviewed the latest progress on preparations, CAF notes the gap between the requirements of hosting the AFCON and realities on the ground,” the CAF statement said.

“Furthermore, after hearing the conclusions of the CAF Security Inspection Team during their most recent visit to Cameroon, CAF concludes that the Africa Cup of Nations could not be exposed to any issues that could impact on the success of the most prestigious African competition.”

When CAF President Ahmad went to Cameroon in October he told the country’s President Paul Biya in front of assembled reporters: “CAF has no Plan B, nor have we ever considered taking the Nations Cup away from Cameroon.”

But last week he criticised Cameroon’s inability to regularise the affairs of its football federation, which has been under the control of a normalisation committee for more than a year while it struggles to adopt a new constitution and elect a new executive.

“CAF reiterates that Cameroon remains a serious candidate to organise a future edition of AFCON, and acknowledges that the country has mobilised significant resources and worked tirelessly to host AFCON 2019,” CAF said.

Next year’s Nations Cup will be the first moved to mid-year to end a long-standing clash between clubs and countries over the release of their players.

Watch related video: 

It will be the fourth successive Nations Cup to have a change of host.

The 2013 finals were to be held in Libya but the security situation there meant they were moved to South Africa.

In 2015 Morocco had the hosting rights taken away after they expressed fears that travelling fans might bring in the Ebola virus and Equatorial Guinea stepped in with just six months to prepare.

The 2017 finals were originally due to be held in South Africa, but they had swapped with Libya, which was then also unable to host and Gabon took over.

Share article
Tags: CameroonConfederation of African Football2019 African Nations CupMorocco
Previous Post

Ndabeni-Abrahams seeks to drive Cyber-security awareness

Next Post

Royalties to be handed over to SA artists

Related Posts

South Africa Proteas team during the match.

Nortje, Magala out of Proteas ICC Cricket World Cup squad

21 September 2023, 10:08 AM
The Springboks are captured celebrating after their victory against Romania during the Rugby World Cup in France on 17 September 2023.

“We are rooting for you” – Ramaphosa sends well wishes to Springboks ahead of Ireland clash

21 September 2023, 6:26 AM
[File Image]: Springboks captain, Siya Kolisi.

Springbok’s 7-1 split gets tongues wagging ahead of Ireland clash

20 September 2023, 4:49 PM
France may be overwhelming favourites for victory in their Rugby World Cup Pool A fixture with Namibia in Marseille on Thursday

France look for more polish against Namibia in raucous Marseille

20 September 2023, 4:41 PM
Goalkeeper Mary Earps was voted England's Women's Player of the Year on Tuesday

Earps wins England Women’s Player of the Year

20 September 2023, 1:14 PM
FC Barcelona's Raphinha celebrates scoring their third goal with teammates.

Barcelona thrash Royal Antwerp 5-0 with Felix double

20 September 2023, 9:45 AM
Next Post
Nathi Mthethwa

Royalties to be handed over to SA artists

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • High waves and rough water conditions force beach closures in the Western Cape
  • Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi to rest in the town he built and nurtured
  • Another hijacked building catches fire in Joburg
  • UPDATE: Public warned not to go to W Cape beaches as another spring tide expected
  • Spring high tide leaves trail of destruction along Garden Route
  • High waves and rough water conditions force beach closures in the Western Cape
  • Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi to rest in the town he built and nurtured
  • NSPCA files criminal case against Julius Malema for alleged animal cruelty
  • Snow, heavy rainfall expected in parts of KZN: SAWS
  • Cold-front sweeps across SA bringing snow and chilly temperatures
  • Joburg residents face water supply disruptions following thunderstorm
  • Fire erupts at SARS building in Johannesburg CBD
  • Mother, children buried after tragic poisoning in Port St Johns
  • IEC in Limpopo dismisses officials for tampering with voter registration
  • Limpopo farmer helping with establishing food gardens

LATEST

Acting Public Protector Adv. Kholeka Gcaleka
  • Politics

Parly to vote on Gcaleka appointment as Public Protector next month


A banner with the image of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar is seen at the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara temple, site of his June 2023 killing, in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, September 20, 2023.
  • World

Canada gathers allies as tensions rise with India over Sikh leader’s murder


South Africa Proteas team during the match.
  • Sport
  • Cricket

Nortje, Magala out of Proteas ICC Cricket World Cup squad


File Image: The multi-disciplinary forces of high-density Operation Shanela infiltrate the streets as they deal with any lawlessness.
  • South Africa

Seven arrested in connection with WITS student’s kidnapping


File Image: SAMWU members hold up posters of their demands during a march to Tshwane House on 26 July 2023.
  • Business

Cosatu in Gauteng keeps an eye on labour developments in Tshwane


Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo addresses the 78th Session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York City, US, September 20, 2023.
  • Africa

Congo president asks UN peacekeepers to start packing up this year


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2023

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2023

Previous A man holds a laptop computer as cyber code is projected on him in this illustration picture taken on May 13, 2017. Capitalizing on spying tools believed to have been developed by the U.S. National Security Agency, hackers staged a cyber assault with a self-spreading malware that has infected tens of thousands of computers in nearly 100 countries. Ndabeni-Abrahams seeks to drive Cyber-security awareness
Next Nathi Mthethwa Royalties to be handed over to SA artists