FECAFOOT president Samuel Eto’o issued a strong response to Algeria and Ivory Coast complaints about the state of Japoma Stadium’s pitch where these two teams will face off on Thursday (18.00) in the ultimate group stage tie. Eto’o emphasized that Cameroon, as the 2021 AFCON hosts, will not provide gifts to anyone.Both Algeria coach Djamel Belmadi and Ivory Coast gaffer Patrice Beaumelle complained about the “awful pitch” of the Japoma Stadium.AFCON title-holders with their backs to the wall: What do Algeria need to survive?The Elephants need just a draw to make sure they are qualified to the round of 16 without waiting to be rescued among the best third of the groups.On the other hand, the Fennecs are obliged to win at all costs as they are currently bottom of Group E with one point.AFCON day eight: Nightmare for the favourites, with reigning champions on the verge of eliminationAhead of the game, both coaches pledged for the game to be removed to another stadium.However, former Barcelona and Real Madrid star responded to them, saying Cameroon will not act to please someone in the ongoing 2021 Africa Cup of nations.”I will not say anything about Japoma Stadium, but I just want to tell the officials of Algeria and Ivory Coast that even FIFA president [Gianni Infantino] wanted to change the date of AFCON and couldn’t. We are not here to please anyone or give gifts”, Eto’o said, as per Afrique Sports.Eto’o: “I don’t see why an African country won’t win a World Cup. Why would that be impossible?”In addition, AFCON 2021 organizing committee met on Tuesday night and decided that the Ivory Coast vs Algeria clash will be played at the indicated venue.THU: 19.00: (3.50) IVORY COAST (3.10) ALGERIA (2.40)However, the quater-final and semi-final matches scheduled to be played there will be removed to the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium.”The pitch will be OK by Thursday. Specialists have already started working on it last Sunday. This is due to the current climatic conditions, which do not allow grass to grow quickly on the ground. But a new method has now been employed”, Japoma Stadium’s coordinator Abel Calvin Ndjoke said.
