President of the Organising Committee for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Amaju Pinnick has assured that Cameroon will host the next edition of the championship in the summer of 2019.
Pinnick and other members of his committee have been in the Central African Nation since the weekend to assess the level of commitment and preparedness of Cameroon towards hosting the 24-team AFCON in 2019.
The Nigeria Football Federation President spoke with journalists after visiting the Cameroonian Prime Minister on Monday, saying that he is impressed by Cameroon’s readiness.
“What we have seen so far is quite impressive. Trust me, it’s really really impressive,” Pinnick (Left) told reporters on Monday.
“The government has made huge efforts to host the best AFCON ever and we are very excited about it.”
Before their meeting with the Prime Minister, Pinnick and his team on the panel of AFCON Bureau visited the Cameroonian Sports Minister Pierre Ismael Bidoung Kpwatt who made a presentation to the Bureau.
Pinnick expressed satisfaction over Cameroon’s plans.
“We don’t want people to have any form of misconception, we are here for serious business and what I saw in the presentation (from Cameroon government) is amazing.
“By the time the tournament ends, I don’t think there’ll be any country that will have the kind of facilities that Cameroon will have,” added the Confederation of African Football (CAF) 1st Vice President.
Pinnick rounded off by harping on the importance of Cameroon to CAF and categorically states that the hosting rights will not be taken from Paul Biya’s nation.
“Cameroon is the heart of Africa and CAF President Mr Ahmad is in support of what we’re doing here. Every challenge that we envisaged are the things we came to discuss with the Minister and he has given us a lot of assurances.
“Nobody is going to take it away from Cameroon. Cameroon are one of the greatest footballing nations in the World, and not just Africa,” he stated.
As the four-time Africa Cup of Nations winners continue to race against time to get ready for the tournament, other nations willing to participate in the tournament will resume qualification next month across Africa.
