AFCON
Cameroon Alleges Plans to Revoke Afcon 2019 Hosting Rights
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
In a thinly veiled displeasure, the Football Federation of Cameroon (FECAFOOT) has reacted to speculations that Cameroon is not ready to host the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
FECAFOOT remarked that despite the competition being two years away, “a campaign of intoxication and disinformation” has filled the air despite the efforts deployed and assurances of the Government of Cameroon.
In a press statement signed by Tombi A. Roko, the FECAFOOT president and sent to Sports Village Square on Monday night, the football governing body frowned at statements credited to Ahmad, the CAF president at a press conference in Burkina Faso.
The statement is in French but was translated via Google translator. According to FECAFOOT statement sent to Sports Village Square, Ahmad was quoted as saying: “in the current state of things, no site in Cameroon is able to host the African Cup of Nations football”. FECAFOOT remarked that it “is deeply concerned by the fact that these remarks are made even before the first inspection mission of the CAF, scheduled for 20 to 28 August 2017”.
According to FECAFOOT which strongly suspected that there were moves to revoke the hosting rights from Cameroon, it wondered the rationale behind the proposed inspection tour since it appeared to have made up its mind that Cameroon was not going to be ready to host the premier African football competition.
FECAFOOT remarked that it was curious that the date of the first CAF inspection mission was unilaterally changed from September to August 2017 without notice. It pointed out that the successful hosting of the African Women Championship late last year should be a pointer of the excellent service delivery that Cameroon can offer.
The women football tournament took place in Yaoundé, Mfandena, Buéa and Limbe. The football went on to remark that it got letter of commendation from CAF as well as from Coup de Cœur du Jury of the Heavent Awards in Cannes which rewards the best event performances around the world.
As regards the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, FECAFOOT remarked that , on the basis of the specifications agreed with CAF, launched a vast program of construction and rehabilitation of its sports infrastructures, valued at hundreds of billions Of CFA francs.
It pointed out it is receiving assistances from friendly countries. These were enumerated thus:
• Italy, for the construction by PICCINI of the sports complex of Olembé, which includes, in particular, a covered stadium with 60,000 seats and two training stadiums, various sports facilities and a four-star hotel with seventy rooms.
• Turkey, for the construction by YENIGUN of the Japoma sports complex, which includes a 50,000-seat stadium and two training stadiums, various sports facilities and accommodation facilities for seventy rooms;
• Canada for the rehabilitation of SODEVI, the Reunification Stadium and a stadium, as well as four training grounds in Bafoussam; – France, for the rehabilitation, by the company ALCOR, Stadiums of Mbappe Lepe and Bonamoussadi; –
• United Kingdom for the rehabilitation by MOTA ENGIL of the Stade Roumde Adjia de Garoua and the construction of an annex stadium and a four-star hotel with seventy rooms; –
• United States of America, for the rehabilitation by the company PRIME POTOMAC, of four training stages, the Hotel La Bénoué and the construction of a four-star hotel of seventy rooms;
• China, for the already effective construction of the Stadiums Omnisports of Limbé and Bafoussam, approved by the CAF.
Continuing, FECAFOOT remarked that it can also boast, in addition to the support of those friendly countries and partner companies, of the Cameroonian people’s full support for the proposed organization of Africa Cup of Nations 2019.
“It is difficult, after the above-mentioned remarks by the CAF President, not to pay attention to persistent rumours about the existence of a conspiracy to withdraw the organization of CAN 2019 in favour of another CAN country:
“It is particularly curious that it has been decided that the recent reforms made in the organization of the African Football Cup, apply immediately to CAN 2019. Such a situation, which unilaterally caused the specifications previously concluded between Cameroon and CAF, amounts to a change of the rules of the game during the game.
“However, it is settled case-law that changes in the conduct of a competition do not apply to the one to be organized immediately after their adoption. For example, the decision by the FIFA Council to change the format of the World Cup from 32 to 48 teams will not apply to Russia in 2018 or Qatar in 2022.
Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe has praised Morocco’s King Mohammed VI for what he described as a powerful gesture of unity and reconciliation following the royal pardon granted to Senegalese supporters convicted over offences linked to the final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
In a statement released on Saturday, Motsepe expressed deep appreciation on behalf of CAF’s 54 member associations, hailing the Moroccan monarch’s decision as a demonstration of football’s ability to foster peace and solidarity across the continent.
“I would like to express our deep gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, for granting His Royal Pardon to the Senegalese supporters convicted of offences relating to the final match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025,” Motsepe stated.
The CAF president said the pardon reflected Morocco’s enduring commitment to African unity and highlighted football’s growing role as a bridge between nations and cultures.
“CAF has consistently emphasised its commitment to utilise football to contribute to uniting our people from different racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds,” he said.
“The pardon by His Majesty King Mohammed VI is an uplifting and motivating illustration of the power of football to unite and bring our people together in Africa and worldwide.”
Motsepe also revealed that during recent visits to both Morocco and Senegal, he had been struck by the deep historical and cultural bonds shared by the two countries.
“I was amazed and impressed when I was briefed about the historic and extensive ties between the people of Senegal and Morocco,” he added.
The statement further reinforced Morocco’s rising influence within African football, especially after successfully hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and positioning itself as one of Africa’s leading football destinations ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
Motsepe also extended CAF’s best wishes to Africa’s representatives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, expressing confidence that the continent’s teams would perform strongly on the global stage.
Among the African nations mentioned were Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Ghana, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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By Kunle Solaja.
Former African champions Algeria and Zambia are set for an early showdown after the release of the Group I fixtures for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Algeria host Zambia on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, in what is expected to be one of the headline fixtures of the qualifying campaign, while Togo entertain Burundi in the group’s other opening tie.
The Desert Foxes are favourites to qualify, but Zambia’s growing consistency and Togo’s unpredictability could make the race highly competitive.
Algeria travel to Burundi on Matchday Two before facing Togo in back-to-back encounters across Matchdays Three and Four. Zambia also meet Burundi home and away during the same period.
The potentially decisive fixture comes on March 22, 2027, when Zambia host Algeria in a clash that could determine the final standings.
Group I Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Algeria vs Zambia
- Togo vs Burundi
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Zambia vs Togo
- Burundi vs Algeria
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Algeria vs Togo
- Zambia vs Burundi
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Togo vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Zambia
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Zambia vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Togo
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Togo vs Zambia
- Algeria vs Burundi
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By Kunle Solaja.
African heavyweights Senegal will launch their quest for another Africa Cup of Nations appearance with a home clash against Mozambique in Group J of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
The Lions of Teranga, among the continent’s strongest teams in recent years, headline a group that also includes Sudan and Ethiopia.
Senegal host Mozambique on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, while Sudan tackle Ethiopia in the other opening encounter.
Senegal are strong favourites to dominate the group, but Sudan and Mozambique are expected to battle fiercely for qualification points.
The key fixtures may emerge in the double-header between Senegal and Sudan across Matchdays Three and Four, while Mozambique and Ethiopia also face each other home and away.
Senegal travel to Mozambique on Matchday Five before ending their campaign at home against Ethiopia on March 30, 2027.
Group J Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Senegal vs Mozambique
- Sudan vs Ethiopia
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Mozambique vs Sudan
- Ethiopia vs Senegal
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Senegal vs Sudan
- Mozambique vs Ethiopia
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Sudan vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Mozambique
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Mozambique vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Sudan
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Sudan vs Mozambique
- Senegal vs Ethiopia
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
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