Ahmad unwavering on 24-team CAN

ABIDJAN: African football supremo Ahmad Ahmad insisted on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) he is not backing down over plans to increase the CAN from 16 to 24 teams despite Cameroon’s organizational struggles.

Back in August, world governing body FIFA appointed a committee to run crisis-hit Cameroonian football amid growing fears the country would not be able to host the 2019 African Cup of Nations (CAN).

- pleting necessary infrastructure, Confederation of African Football president (CAF) Ahmad said no compromise will be made regarding the number of participating countries.

“If the host country cannot organize it can,” Ahmad said on Tuesday during a visit to Abidjan.

see 24 teams qualify, a 50 percent increase on previous editions.

“With regards Cameroon 2019, I cannot predict anything but all the authorities within the country right up to the head of state have always assured us they will be ready,” added Ahmad.

Back in August, Ahmad had warned that Cameroon “isn’t ready to welcome even four teams”, although Cameroonian President Paul Biya had insisted his nation “will be ready when the day comes.”

President of The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Ahmad Ahmad gestures as he addresses media representatives at a press conference in Abidjan on Wednesday.