More Hosting Woes for Cameroon as CAF Expands AFCON

The expansion of the Africa Cup of Nations tournament to 24 teams could create problems for 2019 hosts Cameroon.

The Confederation of African Football, CAF, on Thursday 20 July, 2017, confirmed that the super continental showpiece will now take place in June and July, and expanded to 24 teams.

The changes were approved by the CAF executive committee in a meeting in the Moroccan capital Rabat.

The tournament is usually held in January and February, causing disputes with European clubs who had to release players in the middle of the season.

Reports of a possible withdrawal of Cameroon’s hosting rights have emerged following the slow pace of construction works in the Central African nation.

However, Cameroon’s Minister of Sports and Physical Education Pierre Ishmael Bidoung Mpkatt denied that preparations are behind schedule, expressing government commitment to make it work.

He assured stakeholders during a press conference on the 18th of July 2017 at the Yaoundé Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium. To Mr Bidoung, facilities to be used during the competition will be constructed and old ones renovated in conformity with CAF standards and on record time (3 months earlier).

Group games will reportedly take place in five cities, with Limbe having been added to the four venues mentioned in Cameroon's original bid: Bafoussam, Douala, Garoua and the capital Yaoundé.

But more venues are needed for the teams' training - some of which were already used when Cameroon hosted the Women's Africa Cup of Nations last year.

Bidoung said,"Of the 32 stadia required for the 2019 Nations Cup, the 11 that served for the 2016 Women Africa Cup of Nations are ready and functional".

"For the 21 other stadia, 14 are under rehabilitation and 7 are still to be constructed."

The competition will continue to be held every two years, in Africa and only with African countries. CAF was considering whether to allow countries from other continents to compete - or even host the tournament.

The AFCON has gone on 16 teams since 1996.

Cameroon won the 2017 AFCON

The announcements follow a two-day symposium organized by Caf president Ahmad to discuss the state of African football.

In the wake of concerns aired about Cameroon's readiness, North African nations Algeria and Morocco have recently put themselves forward as back-up options for the finals.