War of Words: Issa Hayatou Rebuts Ahmed’s Claims on Cameroon

Former CAF president Issa Hayatou, this week made it his business to repudiate his successor Ahmed Ahmed’s claims that Cameroon isn’t equipped to host the 2019 Nations Cup.

Ahmed this week chastised Cameroon over what he called ‘the snail-pace’ at which work is being done in the Central African nation, in preparation for the event.

Ahmed is quoted as saying ‘even with four teams, Cameroon is not ready.’

The 58-year-old’s remarks are being interpreted as a calculated move aimed at carrying out a vendetta against Hayatou who purportedly denied Madagascar the hosting rights for the U-17 Championship, citing poor preparation.

It immediately became clear that Ahmed wasn’t going back on his word to challenge the Cameroonian for the CAF seat.

However, the former acting FIFA president, who has been playing it quiet since his defeat, has opted to hit back.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“Since I left CAF, I have refrained from issuing an opinion. I never opened my mouth to talk about it, but I regret what has been said.[/perfectpullquote]

“Cameroon already has five stadiums. We are not talking about the ones we are building. Five stages, they are there, physically. No one can say that Cameroon has nothing, it is not possible,” Hayatou told CRTV.

Meanwhile, the Cameroon FA also released a dispatch voicing ‘consternation’ at Ahmed’s comments.

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