African football governing body CAF has recognized the part poor pitches played in defacing the recently concluded Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Gabon, and has guaranteed to find a way to prevent a recurrence in future editions.
The condition of pitches at the three-week competition – particularly that of the Stade de Port-Gentil – was intensely criticized for it’s part in subjecting players to injuries and also damaging the nature of football.
“That is a lesson for us to make sure we have better control of better management in future,” CAF Secretary general Hicham El Amrani told BBC Sport.
“We are taking it very seriously. One way to do things is to be in touch with the Local Organising Committee way in advance, even before a pitch has been laid, and to provide them with our knowledge in terms of selection of suppliers.”
The following edition of the AFCON will be hosted by Cameroon, who won the current year’s release.
Matches will be played in the capital Yaounde, and additionally Douala, Garoua, Limbe and Baffousam.
