Former African football head Issa Hayatou has hit out at comments made by his successor, Ahmad, about Cameroon's readiness to host the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.Ahmad, who replaced Hayatou as Confederation of African Football (Caf) president in March, said on Saturday that Cameroon 'will have to work to convince Caf of its ability to host.'

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Hayatou, a Cameroonian himself, says Ahmad should have made his comments after a Caf inspection visit later this month.

Madagascar's Ahmad has said that the inspection visit from 20-28 August will not be carried out by Caf Executive Committee officials, as has happened in the past, but outside experts.In July, Cameroon's Sports Minister denied reports that the country was behind schedule with its preparations. Like Hayatou, Cameroon's football federation Fecafoot is also concerned by Ahmad's comments - noting them 'with profound disquiet.'

"One may question the rationale of this inspection visit as the outcome seems to have already been decided at the highest level of Caf," said Fecafoot president Tombi A Roko Sidiki.

Tombi highlighted the successful organization of the African Women Cup of Nations in Cameroon, using stadiums in Yaounde and Limbe - both of which have been selected to stage an expanded 24-team Nations Cup in 2019.

 

 

Report by Miyen Akiri