LAGOS NOVEMBER 15TH (URHOBOTODAY)-The Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) on Friday announced Equatorial Guinea as the host of 2015 Cup of Nations.
CAF had to take decision Friday since the deadline given to Morocco to rescind its appeal seeking for the postponement of the fiesta scheduled to commence January 17 had elapsed.
Morocco had declined to host AFCON 2015 as a result of the outbreak of the dreaded Ebola virus disease in some West African countries.
The African football governing body said in a statement that Equatorial Guinean President Teodoro Obiang had accepted a request from CAF president Issa Hayatou to stage the tournament from 17 January to 8 February as originally scheduled.
Morocco had asked for a shift in date if they are to stay on as hosts but the request was turned down by CAF.
New host Equatorial Guniea are not new to hosting CAF tournaments having successfully hosted the Women’s Nations Cup and jointly hosted the 2012 edition of the AFCON.
Nigeria that at present still struggling to qualify for the fiesta are the reigning African champions but interestingly failed to qualify for the edition held in Equatorial Guniea last term.