Taking 2021 Cup of Nations from Ivory Coast ‘stupid’, says Aurier

Abidjan, Ivory Coast | AFP | Ivory Coast defender Serge Aurier on Monday slammed the “stupid” decision of CAF to strip his country of the right to host the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) finally announced their long-anticipated decision to take the 2019 finals away from Cameroon due to delays in the building of infrastructure and a fragile security situation.

But instead of just replacing Cameroon as hosts, African football’s governing body opted to offer the country the 2021 edition, which had originally been awarded to the Ivory Coast.

“I’m shocked, I don’t understand this decision,” Tottenham full-back Aurier told French television channel Canal+.

“For me, it’s a shambles, a matter for politicians. It’s a pity, it’s a stupid decision. As a player, we want this CAN in 2021 in our country.”

CAF president Ahmad Ahmad told AFP on Monday that the body is “expecting” a response from the Ivory Coast after it was offered the hosting rights for 2023 instead.