South Africa’s government has indicated its capability of ‘rescuing’ Caf as new hosts of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations but wants the continental football governing body to make the first approach.
For a lack of readiness and security concerns, Caf decided to officially strip Cameroon of the hosting right at an extraordinary Executive Committee meeting which lasted 10 hours in Ghanaian capital Accra on Friday.
And with seven months to the tournament start, Caf is now looking for a new host by opening doors to bids until the end of the year.
South Africa, Morocco and Egypt have been tipped as possible frontrunners to step in as last minute hosts.
Reacting to the speculations, Sports and Recreation Minister, Tokozile Xasa says the government would only consider stepping in if Caf comes knocking at their door.
“We are indeed interested in taking over the hosting of the Afcon next year. We have all the infrastructure and stadiums to host this kind of event like we did in 2010 with the Fifa World Cup,” she stated after Banyana Banyana’s 4-3 penalty shootout loss to Nigeria in the Women’s Afcon final on Saturday.
Xasa added: “It’s up to Caf to approach us but as far as we are concerned we are ready to take over from Cameroon.”
“We won’t bid for the hosting rights, Caf must come to us and we will consider hosting but we won’t bid for the rights to host.”
During Friday’s press briefing on the decision to strip Cameroon of the Afcon 2019 hosting rights, Caf boss Ahmad noted that “a task force” would be set up to launch an appeal for offers “to determine a new organizing country…”
The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations is scheduled to take place in a new host country from June 15 to July 13 of that year.
