Ahmad Ahmad from Madagascar celebrates one year as CAF president Friday having caused a shock last March by ending the 29-year reign of Cameroonian Issa Hayatou.

It has been a hectic time for the previously largely unknown Malagasy with plenty of changes to the African football landscape and numerous meetings with heads of state.

After the increasingly autocratic rule of Hayatou, Ahmad has been more democratic, allowing all stakeholders a chance to air views and contribute toward decision making.

We review the first year in office of Ahmad, highlighting his successes and also challenges that lie ahead.

SUCCESSES

– Morocco hosted two worthwhile symposiums, one looking at all aspects of African football and the other concentrating on the role of women in the sport.

– The Africa Cup of Nations dates were changed from January/February to June/July with effect from 2019, freeing up Europe-based stars reluctant to leave clubs in mid-season.

– CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup seasons changed from February/November to September/May, bringing them in line with most African domestic seasons.

– There may be only two women on the CAF executive – Isha Johansen of Sierra Leone and Lydia Nsekera of Burundi – but the winds of change are gathering strength.

– CAF now pay referees for international assignments instead of host nations or clubs, lessening the risk of pressure being placed on match officials to favour one side.

CHALLENGES

– Cup of Nations hosting uncertainty – 2019 hosts Cameroon are latest country racing against clock – has to end. Set a readiness deadline and stick to it.

– CAF club prizes must increase. South African side SuperSport United lost money last season despite reaching the Confederation Cup final.

– The CAF Super Cup match in which the Champions League winners host the Confederation Cup title-holders is grossly unfair and should become a two-leg affair.

– More former stars are getting CAF positions, but only one, 1988 African Footballer of the Year Kalusha Bwalya of Zambia, is part of the executive.

– Many pre-match “dirty tricks”, especially concerning training facilities, could be avoided if the neutral, well-renumerated match commissioners became more involved.

Source:Citizentv.co.ke

CAF President Ahmad Ahmad has warned Cameroon that they must step up their preparation if they’re to retain hosting rights for the 2019 African Cup of Nations.

Cameroon’s ability to host the biennial African football showpiece has been under increasing scrutiny since the Confederation of African football voted – at the CAF Symposium in Rabat in July 2017 – to extend the competition from 16 teams to 24.

Speaking at the Caf 40th Ordinary General Assembly in Casablanca on Friday, Ahmad confirmed that, following an inspection of the country, Cameroon are still falling short of expectations and must improve their efforts if they’re to retain hosting rights.

“There was already an inspection by the company, Roland Berger, who make their analysis and then propose to the executive committee which decision to take,” Ahmad told journalists. “They were in charge of auditing the infrastructure and organisational issues for the tournament.

“Between the inspection reports and the specifications, there’s still a deficit,” the Malagasy football administrator added. “As a result, Cameroon were told to double up.”

Representatives from global strategy company and independent assessors Roland Berger toured Cameroon between January 12 and 23 in order to asses the nation’s preparations.

The competition is set to be staged in five cities across Cameroon – Bafoussam, Douala, Garoua, Limbe and Yaounde – with the venues each in different states of readiness.

“There are people who are lying,” he continued. “I am a man of my word, and my Executive Committee won’t make any changes to the decisions made at the Symposium.

“We will apply the regulations with vigour, the key actors in football want a better AFCON in all areas.

“The specifications require infrastructure, hotels, stadiums, hospitals and a lot more. These are all priorities now.”

As reported by BBC Sport, Ahmad has previously acknowledged that CAF will find an alternative Nations Cup host if Cameroon ultimately fail to demonstrate their preparedness.

According to Africa News, Morocco, hosts of the ongoing African Nations Championship, are committed to hosting the 2019 event should Cameroon have hosting rights taken off them.

Source: ESPN

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) will decide the possibility of Cameroon’s hosting the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday, when CAF discusses the country’s preparedness to organize the biannual championship.

CAF’s Business consultancy, Roland Berger, toured the country from January 12 to January 23 January to assess preparations, and the continental football body will on Wednesday discuss his findings.

“An intermediary report will be sent by the inspectors,” CAF Director of Communications, Junior Binyam, said. “That will be part of the Africa Cup of Nations committee agenda on 31 January.”

“The report of the Nations Cup committee meeting is part of the Executive Committee agenda on 1 February.”

CAF will hold a General Assembly the following day in Morocco, which is currently staging the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN).

There have been concerns about Cameroon’s preparations ever since CAF President Ahmad said last August that the country would “have work to convince” African football’s rulers that it was ready.

The tournament, which has expanded from 16 to 24 teams since Cameroon won the right to host in 2014, is set to be staged in five different cities – Bafoussam, Douala, Garoua, Limbe and Yaounde.

Having hosted games during the 2016 Women’s Africa Cup of nations, both the stadium in Limbe and the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde are largely ready – as is the arena in Bafoussam, which opened in 2016.

The Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium is one of two arenas set to be used in the Cameroonian capital, with the other – the Paul Biya Stadium in the Olembe area – far from ready.

Source: The Independent

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) will discuss Cameroon’s ability to host the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday. Business consultancy Roland Berger toured the country from 12-23 January to assess preparations.

“An intermediary report will be sent by the inspectors,” Caf Director of Communications Junior Binyam said.

“That will be part of the Africa Cup of Nations committee agenda on 31 January.” “The report of the Nations Cup committee meeting is part of the Executive Committee agenda on 1 February.”

Caf will hold a General Assembly the following day in Morocco, which is currently staging the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN).

There have been concerns about Cameroon’s preparations ever since Caf President Ahmad said last August that the country would “have work to convince” African football’s rulers that it was ready.

The tournament, which has expanded from 16 to 24 teams since Cameroon won the right to host in 2014, is set to be staged in five different cities – Bafoussam, Douala, Garoua, Limbe and Yaounde.

The state of readiness of the cities’ stadiums varies across the country.

Having hosted games during the 2016 Women’s Africa Cup of nations, both the stadium in Limbe and the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde are largely ready – as is the arena in Bafoussam, which opened in 2016.

The Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium is one of two arenas set to be used in the Cameroonian capital, with the other – the Paul Biya Stadium in the Olembe area – far from ready.

This venue will be part of a multi-sports complex, as will the Douala-based 50,000-seater Japoma stadium – where there is also considerable work to be done by the Turkish construction company in charge.

Caf appointed PriceWaterhouseCoopers to conduct an initial visit last August but the trip was cancelled at short notice after the audit firm withdrew without giving reasons why.

Business management consultancy Roland Berger later stepped in as the independent assessors.

The group is expected to conduct further visits prior to the tournament in June 2019, with Caf having moved the timing of the tournament from January and February last year.

Caf president Ahmad has said on several occasions that African football’s ruling body will find an alternative host if Cameroon – which has always insisted it will be ready – is unable to host the finals.

Morocco has put itself on standby to host the finals, given concerns about Cameroon’s preparations.

Cameroon are the reigning African champions, having beaten Egypt 2-1 in a thrilling 2017 Nations Cup final in Gabon.

Source: BBC

Latest media reports regarding Cameroon’s state of readiness to host the 2019 African Cup of Nations tournament, is that CAF is happy with preparations.

This follows a visit by the CAF inspection team that said the country is well advanced with preparations towards hosting the AFCON tournament.

According to Soka25East, CAF officials, led by Director of Competitions Ismail Wally, have expressed satisfaction with the country’s preparations for hosting the biennial football showpiece.

Together with nine officials from the football governing body, Wally toured the country from January 12 to January 23 to examine the six venues shortlisted to host the 24-tam showpiece. They also inspected other facilities such as training stadiums, hotels, security and transport details.

Though they were pleased with most of the facilities in terms of hotels and airports, the CAF team was disappointed with internet connection in the host cities.

Moreover, the officials insisted to make another inspection visit in order to ascertain the country’s readiness to host the tournament. Starting from next year, the continental showpiece will have 24 teams instead of 16 for the first time in its history and it will be held in June and July rather than January to February.

Source: Todayng

Angola captain Ricardo Job converted a penalty on the half hour to eliminate Cameroon 1-0 in a breath-taking Group D clash in Agadir on Saturday.

The Indomitable Lions suffered their second defeat of the tournament after losing to Congo by the same margin in the opening game of the group, and sends them crashing out of the tournament.

Rigobert Song’s team started on a bright note with counter attacks on the right with full back Thomas Bawak making runs and crosses which the Angolans dealt with.

However, it was Angola who had the first sight of goal. Paty managed to find space just midway through the Cameroon half before lining up a fierce shot which Cameroon keeper Jean Oscar Kalati parried away on 18 minutes.

Cameroon replied with an attack of their own three minutes later, winger Patrick Moukoko cutting in from the left to set up Junior Bitang who could not keep his effort on target.

Angola opened the Cameroon defence and won a penalty on 28 minutes after a clumsy challenge by Bertrand Owundi on Vladimir Va for a penalty and captain Ricardo Job hammered home what turned out to be the only goal of the match.

The Indomitable Lions continued to mount pressure on the Angola defence who were composed and strong.

Cameroon keeper Kalati pulled one the best saves of the tournament on 52 minutes diving to his right to deny Herenilson’s pinpoint header inside the six yard area.

Minutes later, midfielder Willy Namedji saw his clever turn shot inside the area blocked when it was destined for the Angola net. Defender Alphonse Tientcheu also smashed a lose ball outside the box on target but was denied by Landu Mavanga.

Va missed a good opportunity to extend Angola’s lead three minutes from time tapping Augusto Quibeto’s cross off target. The win places Angola at the top of  Group D with 4 points one more than Congo who play Burkina Faso later.

Total Man of the Match: Vladimir Felix (Angola)

Reactions

Srdan Vasiljevic (Head Coach, Angola)

I am happy that my team for managing to beat Cameroon, a big name in African football. It was not easy for us because we had a very strong opponent in front of us. The players applied the instructions to the letter. Now, we have to think about our last game against Congo.

Rigobert Song (Head Coach, Cameroon)

We made some mistakes during the match and that’s normal because the players are still learning. I am happy with the performance of the players who have given their maximum. I will continue to work with them to make progress. On the other hand, I am disappointed by the cruel end. We’re eliminated from the tournament and it’s a huge disappointment.

Source: CAF

Former international Joseph-Antoine Bell says Cameroon will be ready to host the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, ahead of an inspection visit by the Confederation of African Football (Caf).

Caf is set to tour the various host cities from Friday onwards, amidst long-standing concerns about the country’s preparations.

“Being on track is definitely the truth – Cameroon is on track,” Bell told BBC Sport.

Caf president Ahmad has repeatedly said that an alternative host will be found if Cameroon is not ready on time.

In August, the Malagasy said Cameroon would ‘have to work to convince Caf’ of its ability to host the finals, which expanded from 16 to 24 teams in July.

“I’m not convinced Ahmad wants any problem with anybody,” added the former goalkeeper, who has worked on occasions with the Caf president since his election last March.

“He said Cameroon wasn’t ready but this is because Cameroonian people – especially the press – were leaking such bad news.

“But remember Cameroon hosted the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and they succeeded like nobody before, so why not trust them to do something wonderful.”

Cameroon hosted the Women’s Nations Cup in 2016 to widespread acclaim as vast numbers of spectators turned out for matches in the eight-team tournament.

The inspection visit, which will be carried out by independent business consultancy Roland Berger, will start in Yaounde on 12 January before trips to Garoua, Bafoussam, Douala and either Limbe or Buea.

It will end with a visit to the Caf Centre of Excellence in Mbankomo on 23 January.

“People are behaving like this will be the first and the last inspection,” said Bell, who won two African crowns with Cameroon (in 1984 and 1988).

“This is just the first inspection and it’s coming to see step-by-step how far you are in the preparation of the Nations Cup.

“So it’s not like tomorrow morning they will tell us they will take away the organisation from Cameroon. I know people have talked about this before but it doesn’t work like that.”

“They do not have to be ready now, they have to be ready in at least March 2019. I’m totally convinced Cameroon will be ready.”

The 2019 tournament will take place in June and July after Caf moved the timing of the tournament from January and February.

Morocco, which will host this month’s African Nations Championship, has said it will step in as host should Cameroon be unable to stage Africa’s most prestigious sporting event.

Source: BBC

The performances of the five representatives from the continent at the World Cup in Russia this June will be top of the 2018 agenda for African football‚ but it is also a busy year off the field for the African game. Egypt‚ Morocco‚ Nigeria‚ Senegal and Tunisia fly the flag in mid-year where Africa will be hoping for at least a quarterfinal appearance and hopefully a first-ever side into the semifinals.

But the best team on paper – Morocco – have been handed a horror first round draw in the same group as 2010 World Cup winners Spain and current European champions Portugal‚ puncturing much of the continent’s hope. At the last World Cup in Brazil‚ Algeria and Nigeria made it through to the second round while the Ivory Coast were unlucky not to also get through to the last-16 but it is likely to be a poorer return this time round.

The rest of national teams will be focused on the qualifiers for the 2019 African Nations Cup‚ which resume in September. Rounds two to five of the six-match schedule for each country will be completed by the end of the year with the last qualifiers being played in March 2019.

Off the field‚ the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is to make a decision on the hosting of the next finals‚ which have been expanded to 24 teams. Cameroon insists they are capable of handling the increased numbers but CAF are sending an independent auditing firm to check on their preparations and adjudicate.

But it might come down to a political decision‚ anyway‚ with the new CAF leadership looking to snub former president Issa Hayatou‚ who is from Cameroon‚ and move the tournament to Morocco‚ who have been the biggest backers of new president Ahmad and his transformation plans.

CAF must also settle the issue when the new-look club competition format is introduced plus a raft of top personnel changes are expected at the headquarters in Cairo over the next months. For the moment‚ the two annual club competitions – the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup – will be played from February to November.

The Champions League winner‚ as is tradition‚ goes onto compete at the Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi at the end of the year. The year starts with the Chan (African Nations Championship) 2018 finals in Morocco‚ who are replacing Kenya as hosts.

The 16-team tournament‚ starting next Friday‚ is for home-based national teams only and hardly raises much interest.

Source: Times Live

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah won the African Player of the Year award on Thursday (Jan 4), the first Egyptian to achieve the feat since 1983.

Fellow Liverpool attacker Sadio Mane of Senegal was runner-up and 2015 winner Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Borussia Dortmund and Gabon third.