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But Gabon authorities recently revealed a serious menace to their capacity of hosting the event due to short of the minimum number of rooms under the requirement of CAF.


CAF have recommended a minimum total of 5380 rooms across the country, with 2790 in the capital Libreville and 2590 in Franceville, southeast. But at the moment, the COCAN says Libreville pos- sesses only 1806 rooms – 991 short of CAF requirements, while Franceville is 806 rooms short.


To address the situation, Gabon government is planning to build a number of pavilion-type hotels to a capacity of 48 to 50 rooms each, in Libreville, Franceville and other host and neighbouring cities.


Local authorities also say they will persuade owners of hotel facilities that require repairs, which could as well serve for the events.


During a short visit to England this month, Gabon President Ali Bongo acknowledged some difficul- ties in preparations for the 2012 AFCON but promised he would return to step up efforts, so both countries would be able to get set for the competition in due course.


Besides hosting the continent, Gabon are multiplying friendly matches to fine tune, since they are exempted from the qualifiers being a host nation.


The Panthers defeated DR Congo 2-0 in February, but suffered setbacks in precedent friendly clashes against namely Senegal, Saudi Arabia and Oman.


An international friendly against Cameroon was annulled in the last minute. Gabon would have had a chance to repeat their Angola 2010 feat of humbling the Indomitable Lion 1-0 in their opener, or saw the rival team pick their revenge.


Equatorial Guinea recently hired Cote D’Ivoire former coach Frenchman Henri Michel to prepare the Nzalang Nacional for the 2012 competition.


During CAF’s next visit to both nations, we will be able to know for sure if Gabon and Equatorial Guinea would be set by the given deadline.


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