The Confederation of African Football (Caf) have announced the
expansion of the continent's show piece tournament from its current 16
team format to 24 teams starting from 2019 in Cameroun.
The annoucement comes following Caf's extra ordinary congress in
Rabat, Morocco. Where a football symposium to advance the game of the
continent is being held.
Although, it wasn't part of Ahmed Ahmed promises during when he was
campaigning for the Caf presidency, it is a decision that would be
welcomed by certain sections of the continent particularly smaller
countries that have struggled to qualify in recent years.
With this expansion, the number of countries that can host it, would
shrink further, with the possibility of co-hosting being mooted as a
possible way to reduce the burden according to the Caf's president.
Cameroun are currently struggling to meet deadlines and are behind
schedule for upgrading stadia, training and hotel infrastructure ahead
of the 2019 Afcon. And their initial remit was for 16 teams. Now that
it has been increased to 24 teams, it would further put pressure on
the Camerounians in terms of preparing to meet deadlines.
The decision on whether to move the tournament from its present
January and February timing to June and July is still being awaited.
For now though, the qualification for the next Afcon just got better
for many countries who started their qualifying campaign on the wrong
foot.
expansion of the continent's show piece tournament from its current 16
team format to 24 teams starting from 2019 in Cameroun.
The annoucement comes following Caf's extra ordinary congress in
Rabat, Morocco. Where a football symposium to advance the game of the
continent is being held.
Although, it wasn't part of Ahmed Ahmed promises during when he was
campaigning for the Caf presidency, it is a decision that would be
welcomed by certain sections of the continent particularly smaller
countries that have struggled to qualify in recent years.
With this expansion, the number of countries that can host it, would
shrink further, with the possibility of co-hosting being mooted as a
possible way to reduce the burden according to the Caf's president.
Cameroun are currently struggling to meet deadlines and are behind
schedule for upgrading stadia, training and hotel infrastructure ahead
of the 2019 Afcon. And their initial remit was for 16 teams. Now that
it has been increased to 24 teams, it would further put pressure on
the Camerounians in terms of preparing to meet deadlines.
The decision on whether to move the tournament from its present
January and February timing to June and July is still being awaited.
For now though, the qualification for the next Afcon just got better
for many countries who started their qualifying campaign on the wrong
foot.
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