Former president of Confederation of Africa Football, Issa Hayatou has hit out at comments made by his successor, Ahmad Ahmad, about Cameroon’s readiness to host the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
Ahmad, who replaced CAF president in March, said Cameroon ‘will have to work to convince the soccer ruling body of its ability to host.’
Hayatou, a Cameroonian himself, says Ahmad should have made his comments after an inspection visit later this month.
“The unpreparedness of Cameroon cannot be judged two years before the competition,” Hayatou told a Cameroonian radio station.
“There is an undertone when the CAF president talks about an independent evaluation team. This is worrying.”
Madagascar’s Ahmad has said that the inspection visit from 20-28 August will not be carried out by CAF Executive Committee officials, as has happened in the past, but outside experts.
In July, Cameroon’s Sports Minister denied reports that the country was behind schedule with its preparations.
Like Hayatou, Cameroon’s football federation FECAFOOT is also concerned by Ahmad’s comments noting them ‘with profound disquiet.’
“One may question the rationale of this inspection visit as the outcome seems to have already been decided at the highest level of CAF,” said FECAFOOT president Tombi A Roko Sidiki.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
