Kenya AFCON bid boosted

Cape Town - Kenya's bid for the hosting rights of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations tournament has been backed by 2015 hosts Morocco.

The East African nation have been awarded the hosting rights for the 2018 African Nations Championship, but want CAF's marquee national team tournament as well.

According to a press release from the Football Kenya Federation, the North Africans have given their support to Kenya's bid ahead of bid rivals Algeria, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Sudan and Zimbabwe.

"Morocco the 2015 AFCON hosts have thrown their weight behind Kenya's bid to host the 2017 finals," said the statement.

"The Kingdom of Moroccan Ambassador and Permanent representative to UNEP in Kenya H.E. Abdelilah Benryane said this when he hosted the (Kenya) national team Harambee Stars and FKF officials to a dinner at his resident in Gigiri."

Kenya are set to play against the 2015 AFCON hosts in a friendly international this weekend, while the rest of the continent contests the qualifiers for the tournament.