CAF deny Angola in danger of losing African Nations Cup

The African Confederation of Football (CAF) denied on Tuesday rumours circulating that they planned to take away next year’s African Nations Cup finals from Angola over worries that preparations were behind schedule.

A CAF spokesman told AFP that the meeting in Cairo on Wednesday was a run of the mill affair planned months ago.

“There is absolutely no debate about the tournament being taken away from Angola,” said the press spokesman.

“These are rumours completely without foundation. This a normal meeting which had been planned for a long time.”

Earlier South Africa’s 2010 World Cup chief Danny Jordaan had said that Angola’s readiness would be up for discussion.

“There are going to be discussions tomorrow (Wednesday) at the CAF meeting” in Cairo, Jordaan, who sits on the African Nations Cup committee, told a media briefing in Johannesburg.

When asked if the tournament will be transferred to South Africa amid rumours on Angola’s level of preparedness, Jordaan replied: “As for now, no decision has been taken as to whether or not Angola is ready.”

Angola is spending an estimated 1billion dollars in preparation for CAN 2010 and is building four new stadiums from scratch in Luanda, Cabinda, Lubango and Benguela, as well as creating training pitches and support sites.

The draw for the tournament takes place on November 20 ahead of the tournament from January 10 to 31.

South Africa hosts the continent’s first World Cup next June.