SAFA accepts CAF's request to host 2019 Africa Cup of Nations

Published on: 03 December 2018
SAFA accepts CAF's request to host 2019 Africa Cup of Nations
Danny Jordaan

The South Africa Football Association has accepted a request from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as an emergency hosts for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

The SOS appeal to South Africa came few days after the continental body's executive council have stripped of the hosting rights of Cameroon because of the delay preparations coupled with the insecurity.

At SAFA's AGM on Sunday afternoon in Sandton, the request was discussed and a decision was taken to show interest in becoming the new hosts for the tournament next June.

SAFA president Danny Jordaan indicated that even though they are eager to host rest of Africa in next year's flagship football event, the approval and support from the South African government is paramount.

"The CAF executive said the country to host the 2019 tournament must offer a plug-and-play option because of the shortness of time. If you look around here they can just bring their computers‚ plug them in and start playing in South Africa.

"We have ten World Cup stadiums here and those stadiums have got all the media and broadcast infrastructure.

"That's why we could host Paraguay here (at the Moses Mabhida stadium in November)‚ that's why we could host Nigeria here (at FNB stadium also last month) and that's why we could host Barcelona (in the international club friendly against Mamelodi Sundowns at FNB stadium in May).''

The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations will be held from 15 June to 13 July.

It will also be the first time that an expanded 24 nations will contest for the title.

By Nuhu Adams

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