Africa made to wait for ANC decision

The announcement on who will host the 2015 and 2017 Africa Cup of Nations will take place on Saturday, in Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo and not on Friday as originally planned.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) gave no reason for pushing the decision back 24 hours.

Morocco and South Africa are the only two countries bidding and will make their presentations at a conference centre in the city before the CAF executive committee.

With the two countries both bidding for both years, it seems that the only formality will be deciding which country will host the tournament in which year.

The news will be welcomed in Morocco, who have been beaten by South Africa in their attempt to host the World Cup twice.

Morocco received no votes in their bid for the 2006 tournament, which was awarded to Germany. They received 10 votes to South Africa's 14 for the 2010 bid which South Africa hosted.

South Africa looked the favourites to host the tournament earlier, given the country's state of readiness as the ten stadia used for last year's World Cup are all in regular use.

Morocco have unveiled one new stadium in Marrakech and are set to build at least two more world-class venues, while they could well be eyeing a bid for Africa's second World Cup, which will not take place before 2026.

One of the factors that could see Morocco hosting the tournament earlier will lie with CAF President Issa Hayatou. He is seeking re-election in February and may try to garner North African support by giving them first hosting rights. South Africa's Danny Jordaan is rumoured to be Hayatou's strongest rival.

The decision will be accompanied by the CAF Super Cup match between TP Mazembe, who reached the final of the FIFA Club World Cup, and FUS Rabat at the Kenya Stadium.