Ordinary General Assembly relocation: "It's a loss for Benin"

Cotonou will not host the 45th ordinary general assembly (AGO) of the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The Beninese Football Federation pulled out a week ago of staging the three-part event (the draw for the 2026 World Cup qualifying groups on 12 July, the election of some CAF executive committee members on 13 July, and the workshops and closing of the AGO on 14 July). The withdrawal is reportedly down to delays in completing the Sofitel Hotel in Cotonou, which was due to house this gathering of African football leaders.

In Benin, this unprecedented withdrawal has drawn mixed reactions. "The authorities in charge of running our football could have analysed things better and said no. I am bothered that Benin is pulling out at the last minute", laments Ali Adjao. Mahutin Vilard shares that view and criticises the reason given for the withdrawal. "We have missed out on a great opportunity that could have given us more visibility. All eyes would have been on Benin for the 45th Ordinary General Assembly of CAF. Even if the reasons given by the FBF president seem convincing to me, we should have had a plan B. For a nation that aspires to host the AFCON, we cannot under any circumstances pass up such opportunities. Losing this major event is a loss for the country", he says.

"It is better to pull out than run the risk of a disastrous organisation"

"The decision to withdraw from hosting an event of this scale came rather late in the day, which leaves observers and football lovers with a rather unflattering impression of our country", says Hubert Dossou-Yovo for one. "In tourism and financial terms, this decision means a loss for the country. We are bidding to co-host the AFCON 2025 with Nigeria. Such a decision does not seem advantageous to me given the country's continental ambitions". A keen football observer, Hubert goes on to clear the local sporting authorities of blame because, in his view, "it is better to pull out than run the risk of a disastrous organisation, rather than throw yourself into it and become the target of fierce criticism from a whole continent for a poorly run AGO of the governing body".

Local sports media disappointed

Benin hosted the CAF Confederation Cup final for the first time in its history on 11 July 2021, but the country is missing out on the chance to host a first ordinary general assembly of CAF. The disappointment is felt among Beninese media professionals. Local journalists and sports reporters see an opportunity slipping away. "Many had applied for accreditation to cover the event. This general assembly would have allowed most local journalists to attend this kind of event and also to build up their contacts book. Colleagues from other countries will be there, and it is a way for locals to forge new relationships. It is a great disappointment", says fellow journalist Firmin Kassaga.

A strategic decision or a genuine lack of infrastructure?

If the delay in completing the Sofitel Hotel is confirmed, it nonetheless seems hard to believe that Benin has no other venues to accommodate the delegates. Tino Hougni takes a more realistic view and believes it was a strategic decision rather than a shortage of hotel infrastructure. "Why was it the Sofitel hotel that was supposed to host the proceedings? Don't we have better-equipped hotels to serve as a setting for this general assembly? How can Benin be taken seriously when it lets people down just when it is needed?", he asks.

Rachidi DOSSA