Morocco has been stripped of its right to host the 2015 Africa Cup.
CAF gave Morocco up a November 8 to confirm their staging of the 2015 tournament from January 17 to February 8.
However, Morocco stuck to its guns requesting a postponement due to the Ebola epidemic.
“At its meeting on 11th November 2014 in Cairo, the Executive Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has taken note of the response of the Minister of Youth and Sports of the Kingdom of Morocco in a letter dated 8 November 2014 requesting the postponement of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations in 2015,” CAF stated.
“This response clearly indicates that the Royal Moroccan Football Federation reiterated its refusal to hold the competition on the dates indicated (January 17-February 8, 2015).
“Therefore, having firmly and unanimously notified on 3 November its decision to keep the competition on the dates indicated, the Executive Committee confirmed that the Orange Africa Cup of Nations 2015 will not take place in Morocco.”
CAF said Morocco has also now been disqualified from the tournament and a new host including dates and venues will be announced shortly.
Meanwhile, all qualifiers this weekend will go ahead as scheduled.
Zambia are second in Group F and face third placed Mozambique on Satuday Maputo in a penultimate Group F qualifier.
Zambia and Mozambique are tied on five points, four behind Cape Verde with two Group F left to play.
Which sane person cares about this game?
Thanks
And which insane person doesn’t cares about this game?
The one who commented first.
Just bring it to Zambia. Kalusha can be busy with this, since he is not participating in republican presidency race. Kambwili has no time for soccer at moment, unless he uses it for PF campaign.
With potential exposure to Ebola? Whose interest is CAF serving by insisting on this tournament against the Ebola background?
And replaces them with who?
The one who commented first.
Africa burying its all in the sand yet again.
Morocco have a point.
Ebola is continuing to ravage one of our African nations.
We cannot risk spreading the epidemic to the rest of the continent. We have no contingent plans in place to check a continent-wide infection.
Right now we are looking to Europe and America for medicines that have not fully gone through the usual procedures and processes for global usage.
CAF must know that we will not lose anything by postponing the tournament for twelve months, which come and go rather quickly.
Prevention is better than cure! Ask the European football continental body what they could have done if the situation facing African vis a vis Ebola was on their doorstep.
Well done Morocco!
I agree man. CAF are being very stupid here. Its all about money, money, greedy, greedy, corruption, corruption! all of them.
Take it to South Africa
South African government have clearly stated that they are not in a position to host afcon next year. It will most likely be in Ghana. Nigeria is another option, but they are having general elections in the next year. In addtion, Nigeria has Boko Haram to look after. So by induction, Nigeria is out.
Well done Morocco. It is about time an African nation looked out for its people. This is a time to help quarantine this epidemic not celebrate football.
I’m of the view that the tournament should skip next year’s schedule, the risks out weigh the benefits. The challenge with these football governing bodies and their cronies is, football is just business to them! Need, should I propound further? I’m open to hearing CAF’s proposal to manage/ mitigate the Ebola threat…
CAF! EBOLA is serious! For thie edition couldn’t CAF change the format of the competition? Qualifying countries can play the group games in their respective countries over the same period of time. Semi finals and finals can be played in two return legs! More attendance, more money, more excitement! Less Ebola. What do others say?
This one is best for me