The fate of January’s African Cup of Nations final in Cameroon is hanging in the balance according to media reports, both locally and from the continent.
This following concerns over the country’s readiness to host the tournament. Media reports also confirm that Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe flew to Yaounde for emergency talks today.
A CAF executive committee meeting on Sunday resolved to go ahead with the 24-team event only if Motsepe was able to secure guarantees from Cameroon over its readiness. Concerns have been voiced over a lack of organisation, incomplete building work and the threat of coronavirus outbreaks among a large number of players and staff set to descend on the under-resourced country in the next few weeks.
Several members of the committee called for the tournament to be postponed, but the majority voted for Motsepe to make an emergency trip to engage with the Cameroon government.
Last week, CAF sent its general secretary to urge the speedy completion of building work at the Olembe Stadium in Yaounde, scheduled to host the opening game on January 9 and the final on February 6.
Cameroon was then handed the 2021 tournament, which has since been delayed by 12 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
