” In the face of pressure, the African Football Confederation therefore stood firm, pointYoung Africa. In the middle of the afternoon, yesterday, his boss, Patrice Motsepe, put an end to several days of suspense and controversy: the CAN will take place as planned. The African selections meet from January 9 to February 6 in Cameroon. “
” Ball in the center “, welcomes Cameroon Tribune on the first page. ” The meeting of January 9 will be well and truly held. “
” No postponement, no cancellation. Phew! “, increases The country in Burkina Faso. However, warns the newspaper, “the whole is not to save the furniture of the holding of this competition. It is still necessary that the festival of football is truly there, as Africans are so fond of it and know how to do it so well. This is another story. Because, everything suggests that the holding of the tournament is due to strict compliance with the announced health measures. We must therefore cross our fingers so that the pandemic situation does not deteriorate by the time the competition is launched. This is to say if this confirmation is only a stage victory; as the threat of the virus seems to hover like a sword of Damocles over the tournament. “
What’s more, continues The country, “ many questions still remain unanswered. Indeed, what about the crowds in the stadiums, given the announced health measures? What about the movement of foreign supporters in view of the risks of harassment of all kinds linked to the situation? Suffice to say that as long as the kickoff is not given, nothing will be won in advance. “
► To read also: CAN in Cameroon: “On January 9, we will kick off”
Double bites …
” Since the election of Italo-Switzerland, Gianni Infantino at the head of FIFA, remember Today, still in Ouagadougou, the dangers have never ceased to hover over the CAN. Between the European Cup, the Copa America and the Arab Cup which has just been played in Qatar which generate millions of francs and the less well-off CAN, the choice is quickly made. Clearly, business has taken over the charm of modern football. But should we sacrifice all the passions unleashed by sport king on the altar of profit? “
So, ” for sure, continues Today, after the many ups and downs experienced by this edition of the CAN, nothing will be the same as before and Africa, starting with Cameroon, will have to work extra hard to make an impression and silence the most skeptics. . This requires a flawless organization of this highly anticipated meeting. To do this, it will be necessary to respond present and to be very observant, in the double plan of safety and health but also infrastructural to guarantee a spectacle worthy of the name. It is at this price that Africa will be able to take a step forward in terms of organization. The land of the Indomitable Lions is therefore more than warned, concludes the Ouagalan daily : there will be no more room for procrastination, deceit and rough approximations. Perfection in the organization of this CAN will be the main rule! “
Which players will be present?
Nevertheless ” the match is not over! », Launches the daily Mourya, the voice of Niger. Indeed, will the players from the continent who play in Europe be present? Will their clubs allow them to play this CAN? ” For the honor of the continent and the credit of CAF, Africa must not live with a CAN at a discount, affirms Mourya. Just as we cannot currently imagine a Euro without stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema or other Harry Keane, Thibaut Courtois and Toni Kroos, we cannot amputate the CAN of Sadio Mané, Edouard Mendy, Mohamed Salah, or Riyad Mahrez, for to name only these magicians of the round ball. (…) More than ever, still thinks Mourya, Africa, whose players make European football shine, must put an end to this infantilization which she has not been able to get rid of for a long time. The black continent, whether in sport or on the global political-economic scene, needs more respect. And this stage victory for the holding of the CAN on a good date in Cameroon, must appeal to others, to put the continent back in good shape in the concert of nations. “