AFCON 2019: Biya imposes Limbe and creates organizing committee

President Biya has signed another football decree creating a national committee for the preparation of the African Nations Cup (Feminine) 2016 and the real deal in 2019.

The president placed the committee under the direct supervision of the Prime Minister and Head of Government, Philemon Yang.

The committee involves nearly all the cabinet ministers and only two representatives from the Association of Cameroon Footballers and the President of the Cameroon Football Federation aka FECAFOOT.

The committee further has as members Government Delegate to host cities that is Yaounde, Douala, Garoua and Limbe.

This is contrary to the fact that it was rumored that Limbe was not part of the hosting town; Baffoussam’s Government Delegate’s absence from the committee raises eyebrows if Baffousam will play host to the tournament.

A vote of the executive committee, meeting in the Ethiopian capital, awarded Cameroon the 2019 finals and Ivory Coast will stage the 2021 edition.

In an unscheduled announcement CAF also decided to hand Guinea the right to host the 2023 finals.

Cameroon, who will stage the tournament in 2019, previously staged the Nations Cup in 1972. Cameroon’s bid was centred on four venues in Bafoussam, Douala, Garoua and Yaounde even though Limbe was visited by the CAF inspection team.

Ivory Coast, awarded the 2021 edition, are also former hosts, having staged the Cup of Nations in 1984. The Ivorians plan to use five cities – Abidjan, Bouake, Korhogo, San Pedro and the capital Yamoussoukro.

The 2023 hosts were not expected to be named at the executive committee meeting.