AFCON outside Africa: CAF proposal under fire on social media

An African Cup of Nations (AFCON) to be played outside the continent, that is part of the Confederation of African Football’s marketing committee recommendations at an ongoing symposium in Morocco.

A former Africanews football expert, Juliet Bawuah, on Wednesday tweeted among other recommendations a photo that suggests that staging an AFCON could be taken out of the continent as early as in 2023 – when Guinea is slated to host it.

Point three of the CAF marketing committee recommendation read, ‘‘The possibility to host the AFCON Final Tournament by countries outside the African continent, like China, USA, or Qatar to host the AFCON 2023 since all required infrastructure will already be implemented for the FIFA WC 2022.’‘

Recommendations from the Marketing & TV group to hold AFCON outside the African continent. Could be staged in China,Qatar.🤦‍♀️ #CAFSymposium pic.twitter.com/HrxroR0QOL

— Juliet Bawuah (@julietbawuah) July 19, 2017

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It remains a recommendation at this stage and is subject to further deliberations before the Congress can adopt it or otherwise. ‘‘According to members of the Marketing Committee, this idea will be a brilliant idea, financially. But it is only an idea at this stage,” another journalist clarified.

The particular point has got people expressing varying views on social media. The majority of them slamming the continental football governing body over the proposed move.

It would be an absolute disaster, sadly. Hope they see sense – and quickly.

— Nick Ames (@NickAmes82) July 19, 2017

But this is nonsense. We can never have the Euros, CopaAmerica in Africa

— Davvydoe Jasper (@KingDavidJasper) July 19, 2017

It had better die at this embryonic stage….very warped idea!!!

— Enoho Emeje (@EnohoEmeje) July 19, 2017

China Afcon r US Afcon uh Qatar Afcon 😂are they saying of the 50+ countries in Africa,non is capable of getting the infrastructure on time https://t.co/UM11VDR3Lm

— Narkwor Kwabla (@NarkworKwabla) July 19, 2017

I can't imagine sending all the revenue they intend to generate to a foreign country

— Cosmic Marce🇬🇭 (@cosmicmarce) July 19, 2017

You can't tell me Africa has all these stars at AFCONs and can't pull crowds. Meanwhile, same players pull crowds in EU + elsewhere…

— Gary Al-Smith (@garyalsmith) July 19, 2017

Hosting an AFCON outside the continent is just a lazy man's quick fix. We know what the issues are. Time to knuckle down and solve them.

— Gary Al-Smith (@garyalsmith) July 19, 2017

BS! What flavour of shisha are they smoking in Morocco?

— Jeff Kinyanjui (@Nyash88) July 19, 2017

Among the few who backed the idea:

Dont Forget that AFCON WOULD have been in Qatar should Guinée équatoriale ruled out the 2015 afcon…

— Herve Penot (@hpenot_lequipe) July 19, 2017

Personally I like it. The attendance level has been very poor in recent years. Maybe this will make us value the tournament more on our soil

— MIND ON RICHES (@YSpecz) July 19, 2017