Cameroon: 2019 Afcon hosts boosted by Morocco backing

The president of the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), Faouzi Lekjaa, has backed Cameroon to successfully host the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon/Can).

Last year, the North African kingdom had positioned itself as a back-up venue for the competition finals after doubts arose about Cameroon’s ability to host.

Morocco distances itself from being replacement venue

According to the Confederation of African Football (Caf), the FRMF distanced itself from hosting the competition at the African symposium on women’s football in Marrakech on Tuesday.

"The Royal Moroccan Federation is alongside the Cameroon Football Federation to make Can 2019 a success," Lekjaa said. "No more rumours! We are all together in the service of African football. The relations between King Mohamed VI and President Paul Biya are above football manifestations.

"Afcon 2019 will once again be a space for the demonstration of fraternal and deep relations between Morocco and Cameroon, between the Moroccan Federation and the Cameroonian Federation.

"I told the president of the standardisation committee of Fecafoot [the Cameroonian Federation] to choose the lines of partnership. We are, today, alongside Cameroon to put at our disposal all our devices, to make this Can for 24 teams a great celebration of African football."

Cameroon still needs to convince Caf

Back in 2014, the Caf Executive Committee announced that the 2019 Afcon would be hosted by Cameroon.

However, Ahmad Ahmad, Caf’s president, last year warned the Central African country about its hosting of the competition.

In January, an inspection crew undertook a preliminary visit in Cameroon, after which Ahmad told the country that it needed to step up its preparations if it was to retain the hosting rights of Africa's flagship competition.

The 2019 Afcon will be the first edition to feature 24 teams instead of 16.