After the withdrawal of CAN 2019 from Paul Biya's country, the African Football Confederation is looking for a rescue plan.
Will there be an African Cup of Nations (CAN) in 2019 after the withdrawal of the event in Cameroon?And if so, where? The contenders are not jostling, but, among the most cited, Morocco seems to be established as the obvious relief plan of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
"No plan B" : in early October, CAF claimed that it had "never thought" to disavow Cameroon by withdrawing, despite the blatant delays in preparations, the CAN 2019, and that it had not no alternative solution. Its flip-flop, Friday, November 30, yet requires him to find this plan B "by December 31," according to the time she has set itself.
But few countries have the capacity to succeed where Cameroon has failed: provide infrastructure to host a new competition in its format, with 24 teams. Even before the start of the countdown, Egypt threw in the towel by announcing Friday that it would not apply for this CAN, which will be the first organized during the summer.
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"Consensus"
However, the way seems clear for Morocco, favorite who had withdrawn in 2015 but could announce his candidacy "probably early this week," says a source to the Moroccan federation. Magdi Abdel Ghani, board member of the Egyptian federation, believes there is "a consensus for Morocco to host the competition . "Member of the Moroccan federation, Abdelmalek Abroune confirms to AFP: "If Morocco is a candidate, he would be the best placed. The kingdom has a strong influx of tourists in summer, it will be an ideal time to organize such a competition. The country has all the transport infrastructure and accommodation, as well as an experience in this kind of event. "Morocco is the ideal solution for CAF, the six cities to host the CAN are ready with their six stadiums," abounds sports researcher Moncef El Yazghi.
Hosting the 2013 and 2014 Club World Cup, Morocco also hosted the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN), which takes place every two years, alternating with the CAN. At home, the Atlas Lions won the CHAN, reserved for players playing in the championships of the continent. And, recalls Moncef El Yazghi, the kingdom "could organize without any incident" this CHAN "by replacing Kenya on a decision that was taken only a few months before the competition" .
Consolation
Pending a potential joint Morocco-Spain-Portugal bid for the "World Centennial" in 2030, a century after the first World Cup, Morocco could prove its worth next June. This would be a consolation for the kingdom of Mohammed VI, which will not have the World 2026, awarded to the trio United States - Mexico - Canada. Morocco, which organized the CAN only once, in 1988, had to abandon the CAN 2015, finally organized in Equatorial Guinea, because of Ebola epidemic.The organization of the CAN 2019 would finally be a sporting asset for the Atlas Lions, who have not won the most prestigious African competitions since 1976. "I hope that Morocco will be designated,"said Friday. Micro of BeIN Sports the French coach of Morocco, Hervé Renard, even if, he added with a smile, "it will add additional pressure."
