Withdrawal of 2019 AFCON from Cameroon, Paul Biya’s message to CAF

The mystery was finally lifted on the position of the Cameroonian head of state Paul Biya about the idea of organizing a CAN in Cameroon in 202, after the withdrawal of the 2019 edition by CAF: “We have a very favourable return from Cameroon,” said Constant Omari, who said:” President Paul Biya wrote to us officially to confirm his agreement to organize 2021.”

The vice president of CAF, Constant Omari was therefore clear during his recent stint in the show Talent D’Afrique on Canal+.

Paul Biya thus complies with the decision of the CAF Executive Committee, which withdraws the organization of CAN 2019 in Cameroon, notably for delay in the planning of the preparatory work and unsavoury security context.

There is little, however, the Head of State left no doubt about the capacity of his country and his personal commitment to meet this challenge in the time allowed: “CAN 2019 is already tomorrow, you have an appointment with African sports right here in Cameroon. And Cameroon will be ready the day, I make the commitment,” said the Cameroonian president on August 10, 2017, in front of the medal winners of international competitions he received at the Palace of Unity.

The president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Ahmad Ahmad, confirmed in turn, in front of the press, that Cameroon will recover the organization of the CAN 2021 in place of Côte d’Ivoire.

It is for him to make “slip” two years, the next two African Cups of Nations, initially planned in 2019 in Cameroon and 2021 in Côte d’Ivoire, this is today the plan of the governing body of African football.

“I’m sure we’ll get there. I am convinced that the great Ivorian leaders will listen to their compatriots who manage the preparation of the CAN. They will realize that it was the CAF that was right,” said the Malagasy leader.