The President of the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, is in Cameroon for a 48 hour visit during which the fate of the Africa Cup of Nations (Total Energies Cameroon 2021) would be decided.
The decision to visit Cameroon was taken at short notice according to CAF, which notified the newly elected president of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT), Samuel Eto’o Fils on Saturday December 18, 2021 through a correspondence.
The context of the visit is marked by speculations on a possible postponement or cancellation of the competition due to health challenges linked to the new Covid 19 variant, and the availability of African footballers playing in European teams.
The issue of how ready Cameroon is to host the event is gradually been shifted to the corner coupled with the security challenges in the country’s Far North, North West and South West regions.
Meeting in Qatar on Sunday, December 19, 2021, CAF opted to maintain the competition in Cameroon but the president of the world football governing body (FIFA), Gianni Infantino, insisted on a possible postponement.
One of the reasons he gave is that most European Clubs are into active competition and would not wish to release their players during AFCON, hence a reason to postpone the competition.
The president of FECAFOOT, Samuel Eto’o Fils, in a recent media outing had castigated the move saying it’s not for the interest of Africa, because only few African players are concerned and only few encounters would be missed.
For two days in Cameroon, CAF boss, Patrice Moptsepe, it is alleged will try to convince the organising host of the competition (Cameroon), to accept a postponement. And if that happens, it will be the second challenge in a series of Cameroon’s hosting the continental competition.
Motsepe, is expected to meet and hold talks with the President of the Republic , Paul Biya, the Secretary General at the Presidency of the Republic, Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, FECAFOOT president, Samuel Eto’o Fils, as well as visit the Olembe stadium that is set to host the opening encounter of the competition come January 9, 2022.
Responding to questions from Journalists upon arrival at the Yaounde Nsimalem International Airports, Patrice Motsepe, said they will give an official position concerning the competition only after their deliberations in the country. He however promised that what ever is happening is to give the competition the prestige it deserves.
The delegation was received by an inspector general of service at the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education.
