By George MBELLA
A release dated August 18, 2017 from the Minister of Sports and Physical Education, Ismael Bidoung Mkpatt, informs the public that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has postponed its inspection mission to assess Cameroon’s preparedness to host the 2019 African Cup of Nations soccer tournament.
The release links CAF’s decision to the withdrawal by one of the members of the delegation, Price Waterhouse Coopers. The first inspection mission was scheduled to hold from 20 to 28 August 2017. “The Confederation of African Football emphasizes that it will inform Cameroon on the next date for the inspection,” says the Minister in the release.
Another release issued the same day by the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) refutes security concerns rumoured as being the reason for the private audit firm’s withdrawal. FECAFOOT’s President Tombi a Roko reassures Price Waterhouse Coopers and CAF that all necessary measures have been taken to guarantee the safety of all members of the delegation.
This unexpected twist marks another episode in a CAF-Cameroon tussle over the latter’s level of preparedness to host the 2019 African Cup of Nations. CAF’s President, Ahmad Ahmad, recently expressed doubts over Cameroon’s readiness and promised to withdraw the organization from Cameroon if the inspection team’s report confirmed his fears.
