Daily Trust - the online edition

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has its back against the wall over those that would sponsor its newly introduced Africa Nations Championship, slated for Cote d’Ivoire next year.

Consequently, the continen-tal football ruling body is franti-cally in search of sponsors be-fore the football fiesta begins in Abidjan next year.

Disclosing this in a chat with sports reporters at the Nigeria Football Association secretariat in Abuja yesterday, CAF Communications and Public Relations Director, Suleimanu Habuba stated that though there is no sponsor at the moment, CAF is currently discussing with reputable firms on the need to sponsor the fiesta.

Habuba however expressed satisfaction with the interest shown by countries in taking part in the fiesta, saying CAF had to re-organize the earlier draws to accommodate interested coun-tries.

"The most important thing is that we have received huge interest after the draws, ten countries came and we have to re-organize the draws.

"The competition will take place in Abidjan next year, and there are two or three venues that we are discussing with the inspection team, led by CAF and FIFA Executive Committee member, Dr. Amos Adamu, which will be in Cote d’Ivoire first week of May to inspect facilities for the event.

"This competition was not created by one senior CAF offi-cial, but it was discussed from the grassroots since two years ago. We have our football com-mittee, technical committee and later it was approved by the twelve Executive Committee members at a meeting in Jo-hannesburg", Habuba said.

Speaking on the importance of the continental soccer champion-ship, Habuba explained that it is aimed at encouraging those playing on the continent.

"So, it was a collective decision; whether to move or remove is another story, but the most important thing is that, it is like in a political arena, we have to encourage south south develop-ment; that is to encourage players that are playing on the continent in one way or the other.

"Each continent has its own reality, and we have a social responsibility to move this continent forward. In our reality, we should not be focusing on what other people said, but we want to give it a trial and see what comes out of the competition.

"It is also an opportunity for the players in our domestic leagues to be seen on our national jerseys playing. We cannot say it is a success until we wait and see what happens at the end of the competition. So far, we are positive and happy with the reply", he stated.

He also disclosed that ahead of the event next year, CAF Executive Committee member, Dr. Amos Adamu will lead a team of CAF officials to inspect facilities in Cote d’Ivoire next month.