Top African sports consultant Foussena Djagba has hailed the President of the Confederation of African Football Football (CAF), Issa Hayatou for his foresight in not postponing next year’s Africa Cup of Nations, originally billed to be staged in Morocco but now holding in Equatorial Guinea.
Morocco had notified CAF of its intention not to stage the tournament in January due to the spread of the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease in West Africa and feared that it was going to spread further with fans entering its country from the affected countries during the tournament in late January and early February.
With concerns mounting over the spread of the disease and calls for the tournament to be shifted to another date growing, CAF rather than buckle under the weight of apprehensions, stuck to its ground that the tournament was going to go on as planned and later named Equatorial Guinea as the new hosts of the 16-nation tournament.
And reacting to CAF’s decision, Djagba hailed the courage of Hayatou to stand his ground on the tournament.
The Ghana-based Togolese consultant said “due to the determined and astute leadership of Hayatou, a substitute capable country, Equatorial Guinea has been identified to take the place of Morocco.
“Mr. Hayatou has once more proved that he is a visionary Leader and pragmatic problem-solver. His passion and dedication to the game have once again triumph.
“Hayatou should be commended for his determination to have Equatorial Guinea host for the second time this time alone the prestigious annual soccer event on the continent.
“When the challenge was imminent and there was hue and cry to postpone it just as in the case of Qatar, he stood his ground and pulled the rabbit out of the hatâ€, added Djagba, who praised Equatorial Guinea for its acceptance to host the rest of Africa in the festival of football.
“Equatorial Guinea should be praised for the face saving within a short notice offer to host AFCON 2015.
"Football loving fans in Africa wish Equatorial Guinea host country and President Issa Hayatou wellâ€, she said.
Madam Djagba is one Africa's leading football female consultant with vast knowledge and expansive contacts in the industry. You can reach her on her number on 0244265856.