By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo,

 

The fear of not hosting the upcoming AFCON has gripped  Cameroon following CAF’s inconsistency in their statements that the country could be stripped of 2019 AFCON hosting rights.

The doubts are coming after the Confederation of African Football President Ahmad made some statements about Cameroon’s capacity of hosting the 24-expanded AFCON.

“I am not sure Cameroon is ready to host the Afcon, there are many things which are still wanting and yet there is little time left. It would be dangerous to risk African players, especially the professionals plying their trade in Europe and other continents, to play under difficult conditions and facilities,” Ahmad told KweséESPN

He added that “If you are not ready, come out open and say you are not ready. In 1996, Burkina Faso was supposed to host the AFCON but said they were not ready, and South Africa took up the chance to host.”

To him Cameroon will be the best country to host the AFCON now because of their football history. “If you asked me, Cameroon would be the best country to host the AFCON now because of their football history, but there are still some questions about their readiness to host a successful tournament.”

“Cameroon are still having big problems with infrastructure like the pitches and even hotels. Equatorial Guinea jumped in at the last moment to host 2015 AFCON and this can also happen.” Ahmad said.

What ever the case, if Cameroon is stripped off the hosting rights, Morocco and South Africa could be alternative options.

Cameroon lastly hosted the competition some 46 years ago and back then, only eight teams participated.

But having hosted the eight-team 2016 Africa Women Cup of Nations, Cameroon is optimistic that they will host the competition.