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Cape Town - South Africa and Egypt are leading the race to take over as
emergency hosts of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations following Morocco's
request to be withdrawn as hosts.
The Moroccan government expressed concerns over the spread of the Ebola virus and asked the Confederation of African Football (CAF) through the country's FA for a postponement.
CAF rejected the request and, according to Egyptian member of FIFA and CAF, Hany Abou-Rida, the continental body is resigned to losing the North African nation as hosts and have begun to talks with alternative countries.
"The FIFA acting office will hold a meeting on the second of November to discuss the concerns. It is very hard for them to accept the idea of postponing the AFCON for two months as requested by Morocco, so that it does not clash with the European Championship," Abou-Rida told King Fut.
"In case Morocco do withdraw from hosting the competition, there will be several other countries able to hold the tournament such as Egypt, Algeria, Ghana and South Africa.
"Egypt have an excellent base regarding pitches and hotels but the decision to host the tournament is a state-related decision which is politically involved. Egypt and South Africa have the edge due to the fact that matches can be televised on HD.
"Egypt hosting the AFCON will have a huge influence on tourism and the country being back on it's known sporting level to the continent."
Egypt hosted the 2006 edition of AFCON and have also entered the race for the 2017 hosting rights, while South Africa last hosted in 2013 after swapping their rights with Lybia.
The Moroccan government expressed concerns over the spread of the Ebola virus and asked the Confederation of African Football (CAF) through the country's FA for a postponement.
CAF rejected the request and, according to Egyptian member of FIFA and CAF, Hany Abou-Rida, the continental body is resigned to losing the North African nation as hosts and have begun to talks with alternative countries.
"The FIFA acting office will hold a meeting on the second of November to discuss the concerns. It is very hard for them to accept the idea of postponing the AFCON for two months as requested by Morocco, so that it does not clash with the European Championship," Abou-Rida told King Fut.
"In case Morocco do withdraw from hosting the competition, there will be several other countries able to hold the tournament such as Egypt, Algeria, Ghana and South Africa.
"Egypt have an excellent base regarding pitches and hotels but the decision to host the tournament is a state-related decision which is politically involved. Egypt and South Africa have the edge due to the fact that matches can be televised on HD.
"Egypt hosting the AFCON will have a huge influence on tourism and the country being back on it's known sporting level to the continent."
Egypt hosted the 2006 edition of AFCON and have also entered the race for the 2017 hosting rights, while South Africa last hosted in 2013 after swapping their rights with Lybia.
