SPORT and Recreation Minister Fikile Mbalula has assured CAF president Issa Hayatou that preparations for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations finals were well on track.

Mbalula and his delegation met Hayatou on the sidelines of Fifa's 62nd congress in Budapest, Hungary, yesterday. Also present at the meeting were Safa president Kirsten Nematandani, deputy president Danny Jordaan and chief executive Robin Petersen.

Mbalula updated Hayatou on the preparations for the tournament that will be hosted in four cities, as well the African Nations Championship.

Mbalula's spokesman Paena Galane said: "The minister updated president Hayatou on the state of affairs in relation to hosting the gigantic spectacle in Africa.

"The genuine issues raised by municipalities hosting the African spectacle were acknowledged.

"The minister has invited president Hayatou to South Africa to have a fully fledged Afcon preparatory meeting where all issues will be discussed.

"Mbalula also briefed president Hayatou on the commitments of government and the planning meetings currently taking place to ensure all the issues are dealt with," added Galane.

Sowetan has learnt that Hayatou is unhappy that the Local Organising Committee does not even have a chairman leading the LOC board.

Former Safa president Molefi Oliphant is tipped to take over as chairman.