AFCON 2024: Cameroon's journey cut short

The 33rd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) was scheduled to take place in Cameroon in 2021. However, due to various reasons, the tournament has been postponed to 2022. And now, it has been announced that Cameroon's journey as the host nation for AFCON has been cut short, as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has stripped them of their hosting rights for the 2024 edition.

This decision came after a series of concerns were raised about Cameroon's readiness to host a tournament of this magnitude. The country was initially awarded the hosting rights for both the 2021 and 2023 editions, but after multiple inspection visits, CAF decided to move the 2021 edition to Egypt and postpone the 2023 edition to 2025.

One of the main reasons cited for CAF's decision was the delay in the construction of infrastructure and stadiums. Cameroon was supposed to have at least four new stadiums ready for the tournament, but only one was completed on time. This led to concerns about the country's ability to host a tournament of this scale and provide adequate facilities for players, fans, and officials.

Moreover, there were also concerns about the security situation in Cameroon. The country has been facing political instability and violence in some regions, which raised questions about the safety of players and fans during the tournament. CAF could not risk the safety of its stakeholders and decided to revoke Cameroon's hosting rights.

The end of an era: Cameroon's AFCON reign comes to an end in 2024

This decision has come as a disappointment for Cameroon, as they were looking forward to showcasing their ability to host a major tournament. The country has a rich football history, having won the AFCON title five times, and was eager to add to their legacy by successfully hosting the tournament.

The news has also been met with mixed reactions from the football community. Some have applauded CAF for taking a bold decision in the interest of the tournament, while others have criticized the timing of the decision, as it gives Cameroon little time to prepare for the 2024 edition.

However, this is not the first time that CAF has stripped a country of its hosting rights. In 2019, CAF removed the hosting rights from Cameroon for the 2019 AFCON, citing similar concerns about infrastructure and security. The tournament was then hosted by Egypt, who had only six months to prepare for the event.

It is worth noting that CAF has not yet announced the new host nation for the 2024 edition. They have stated that they will open a new bidding process, and interested countries will have until the end of 2021 to submit their bids. This gives hope to other African nations who missed out on the opportunity to host the tournament, and it will be interesting to see which country eventually gets the nod.

In conclusion, while it is unfortunate that Cameroon's journey as the host nation for AFCON 2024 has been cut short, CAF's decision was necessary to ensure a successful and safe tournament. It is now up to Cameroon to address the concerns raised by CAF and work towards being a strong candidate for future hosting rights. As for the 2024 edition, all eyes will be on CAF as they embark on the search for a new host nation.