Senegal replaces DR Congo as hosts of Africa's maiden U-23s championship

Senegal have accepted a request from CAF to host the 2015 African Under-23 Championship in December, replacing DR Congo for the tournament to determine Africa's representatives at the Olympic Games.

It follows a meeting on Friday between the Senegal president, Macky Sall (pictured) and the Caf president Issa Hayatou.

The tournament also serves as qualifiers for the 2016 Rio Olympics and Ghana's U23 side Black Meteors are seeking to qualify for the tournament.

DR Congo withdrew as hosts to focus on the country's elections in 2016.

Caf confirmed that President Sall accepted the invitation to host the U-23s event, which was originally scheduled to take place from 5-19 December 2015 in DR Congo.

President Sall has asked Senegal's Sports Minister, Matarr Ba, and the president of the Senegalese Football Federation, Augustin Senghor, to discuss details with Caf regarding the organisation of the 2015 championship.

Senegal, who are currently staging the Under-20s African championships, received high praise from Caf president Issa Hayatou who described the nation as “a beacon of football.”