Is Cameroon ready to host AFCON 2019?

After a 42 year wait, Cameroon authorities, early January, landed their bid to host the African cup of nations in 2019.

“I think Cameroon stands a chance, given her history and records in African football. Besides, the last time we hosted the competition was in 1972 and that is such a long time,” Abel Ekema, Southwest Regional Delegate of Sports and Physical Education told The Post.

Ekema expressed optimism that Cameroon will win the bid to host the 2019 soccer bonanza.

A team from African football federation, CAF, led by Malian Diahkite back in May 2014, had carried out inspection of facilities that would possibly host the tournament. The delegation, including Amir Sahmy, Paul Bassey of Nigeria and Chadian Adoum Djibre, examined the facilities presented by FECAFOT.

The team began its mission at the Amadou Ahidjo Stadium in the nation’s capital, Yaounde, before heading to adjoining training pitches and also The Hilton and Mont Febe hotels. The specialists’ Essos Hospital, the CNPS Hospital and the CAF Centre for excellence, where also inspected.

The CAF delegation visited five other football stadia across the country which included the stadium at Ngueme-Limbe with the capacity of 20,000, under construction by the Chinese. About 95 percent of the work has been done, with water and electricity yet to be installed, packing space and access road to the stadium are still to be constructed.

The Bafoussam- Kouekong Omnisport Stadium with the capacity of 20,000 is still under construction. The Paul Biya Omnisport Stadium in Yaounde, which can accommodate up to 60,000 fans, and the Bwang Bakoko Omnisport Stadium with a provision of 50,000 seats, are all under construction.

However, little or nothing has been done in terms of renovation at the Doula Reunification Stadium, in contrast to that of Yaounde, which has seen restoration.

Cameroon can boast only of four international airports; Yaounde, Douala, Garoua and the one recently reopened at Maroua by the Minister of Transport. Nothing has been said of the airport at Bafoussam and that of Tiko, which was abandoned after the President’s visit for celebrations of the 50th anniversary of Reunification of Cameroon.

Considering the poor network in the country, the optical fibre network in progress to ensure access to quality internet services and enable the transmission of images and sound, is under reconstruction, under the auspices of Camtel.

With the Wouri Bridge still under construction; more hotels being built on a daily basis, competition from West African country’s like Guinea Conakry, Ivory coast, Algeria, neighboring DR Congo and Zambia, who are not threatened by the 4-time African champions’ bid to host the competition, construction and restoration are expected to speed up, considering the fact that inspection is due in 2018, should Cameroon win the proposal to entertain the African continent in 2019.

Meantime, the Southwest Regional Delegate of Sports and Physical Edition, Ekema, believes that Cameroon is prepared to host the tournament come 2019, despite contest from other African states. He is very positive on Cameroon’s chances of winning the bid to host the tournament after 42 years.

In an exclusive interview on Cameroon’s preparedness, Ekema said: “We are preparing very hard for the tournament as construction is not only going on at the Limbe Stadium, but also at the Bafoussam and Yaounde stadia. Hotels and hospitals are not left out,” Ekema enthused adding that “we are anxious to be the host nation. CAF does not look at what you have at hand, but what you are capable of doing.”

The Delegate, however, expressed some worries in relation to attendance if Cameroon is host nation of the most important tournament on the continent. He fears the organisation of the elite championship has discouraged football from the grassroots level, which has killed the enthusiasm the population has for the game.

While Cameroon rides on with preparations, CAF is to hold an executive meeting, come September 2014, where all contenders including Cameroon would be given the opportunity to defend their bid. Taking into consideration the current situation on ground, could Cameroon beat deadline?

Meantime, all expectations remain the obligation of FECAFOOT and the Government.