Despite simmering opposition from many European club sides, the 2022 AFCON tournament will go ahead in Cameroun as planned.
Patrice Motsepe, President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) gave the assurance on Monday when he visited Yaounde’s Olembe Stadium.
That stadium will host the opening match on 9 January.
He promised an ‘exceptional championship.’
“I will be in Cameroon on 7 January with my wife and kids to witness this incredible competition. You can see that there’s a huge commitment and a focus to make sure that there’s good progress,” he insisted.
“We are going to host with the people of Cameroon an exceptional tournament. It will be the most successful Afcon. We are ready to show the world the best of African football and African hospitality.
“This tournament is important for the people of Africa and I’m so proud and so excited with the work done.”
Many European clubs fear that the timing of the tournament will prove detrimental to their own local and continental aspirations.
Cameroon had been slated to host the 2019 Nations Cup, but the country was stripped of hosting rights in November 2018 with Caf citing delays in the country’s preparation for the tournament.
