December 12 – The head of African football has denied that he orchestrated the move to strip Cameroon of hosting rights for next year’s African Nations Cup, saying it was a collective decision by his confederation’s inner circle.
Ahmad Ahmad told Radio France Inter that he listened to the views of his executive committee at the Confederation of African Football and that the decision was for the good of the AFCON organisation as a whole.
A ruling on who replaces Cameroon is to be made on January 9, with South Africa in pole position, and Ahmad said: “We must make people understand that there is a distinction to be made between the person, Ahmad, and the president of CAF. I have to run an institution regardless of my personality. I represent 54 African countries and not only Madagascar. All this obviously forces me to take much more precautions.”
Ahmad said he was “surprised” by the angry reaction of the Ivory Coast, which had been due to host in 2021 (a date that has now gone to Cameroon) at being pushed back to hosting 2023 instead.
“It shows perhaps the inadequacy of the leaders who, instead of convincing their own people that this decision [to host in 2023] is a good thing, make political politics to create controversy.”
“How can they build five stadiums in two years? There are some cities supposed to organise the competition where there is nothing, in particular no hotels.”
“I am convinced that the great Ivorian leaders will listen to their compatriots who manage the preparation of AFCON. They will realize that CAF was right.”
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1714172970labto1714172970ofdlr1714172970owedi1714172970sni@w1714172970ahsra1714172970w.wer1714172970dna1714172970