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Ghana spared from hosting Ebola AFCON as CAF considers Morocco's postponement quest

By ghanasoccernet.com
Cup of Nations Ghana spared from hosting Ebola AFCON as CAF considers Morocco's postponement quest
OCT 31, 2014 LISTEN

Ghana's jitters about hosting the 2015 African Cup of Nations over Ebola fears look to have been allayed, as CAF is considering Morocco's request that they will stay as hosts if the tournament is postponed to June.

Ghana was left as the only country interested in hosting the event if Morocco pulls out despite fears in the country that the disease could spread in the West African country.

Now the Confederation of African Football has agreed in principle to the postponement of the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2015, according to Moroccan media.

The reports follow a meeting held in Yaoundé on Wednesday between CAF President, Issa Hayatou and representatives from the Moroccan Ministry of Sports, the Moroccan football association (FRMF) and the country's health authorities.

Morocco have again requested that the tournament, scheduled to be held between January 17 and February 8, be postponed voicing concerns over the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, and proposed to move it to June 2015 or January 2016.

Issa Hayatou would be willing to meet their request, according to Moroccan daily As-Sabah which means Ghana will no longer be considered as the host of the competition.

Early this month, current hosts Morocco said they wanted the tournament to be postponed because of Ebola, but the Confederation of African Football (CAF) insisted it should be held as planned from 17 January to 8 February.

Countries including Egypt, Ghana and South Africa expressed an interest in holding the tournament if Morocco withdraws.

However, South Africa's sports ministry shot down the idea last week leaving Ghana and Egypt as the remaining countries interested in taking over as hosts of the competition.

However, Ghana has been left as the only country standing to replace Morocco now after Egyptian authorities dodged their initial interest in taking over from Morocco .

The Confederation of African Football has canceled all football in the three countries most affected by Ebola – Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone – until further notice, but says it is following the advice of the World Health Organisation that travel bans will not help curtail the outbreak.

However, the request of countries wanting to host the tournament will be discussed at the next meeting of the CAF Executive Committee scheduled for 2 November in Algiers, on the sidelines of the second leg of the CAF Champions League final.

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