Africa Cup of Nations: Equatorial Guinea will replace Morocco as hosts of 2015 finals

The Confederation of African Football has announced Equatorial Guinea will replace Morocco as the hosts of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2015.
Morocco requested the tournament be postponed because of fears about the Ebola outbreak which has so far claimed the lives of 5,000 people, mainly in West Africa.
The completion will take place in January and February next year without Morocco.
Equatorial Guinea hosted the 2012 finals with neighbours Gabon but will take on the 16-team tournament on their own this time.
Morocco wanted the tournament postponed over fears of a spread of the deadly virus but CAF refused and on Tuesday stripped the north African country of the hosting rights.
The new hosts will be able to play in the tournament, despite being disqualified from the preliminaries by CAF for fielding an ineligible player.
CAF said in a statement: “Following fraternal and fruitful discussions, the head of state of Equatorial Guinea has agreed to host the tournament from January 17 to February 8, 2015.
“The national team of Equatorial Guinea qualify for the final tournament as host country.”
The matches will take place in four venues and the draw for the finals will take place on December 3 in the country’s capital, Malabo.

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