Ghana shortlisted among four countries to AFCON 2017

Ghana are among the Four countries shortlisted by CAF to host the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, GHANAsoccernet.com Ghana’s leading football news outfit can exclusively report.

Africa’s football governing body CAF considered bid documents from seven countries keen on replacing Libya as hosts of the tournament by the Sept. 30 deadline.


Now CAF insiders say Ghana is among the four countries selected for the final phase of the race to win the bid


The Ghanaians will fight for the hosting rights with Algeria, Egypt and Gabon.


This means bids from Kenya, Sudan and Zimbabwe did not impress the officials of the African governing body following their recent meeting in Egypt.


CAF will send inspection teams to Ghana to consider the facilities before a decision is taken whether to hand the West African country the hosting rights.

The continent’s governing body has stated that the winning bid will be from a country that will have little need to improve infrastructure and should be ready to host immediately.


Libya were stripped of the right to host the continent’s showpiece tournament in August as ongoing fighting in the country delayed plans to build new stadiums for the 16-team finals.


The north African nation was originally scheduled to hold the Nations Cup in 2013 but, because of the unrest, swapped with 2017 hosts South Africa.


The host of the tournament will be announced in 2015.


Libya was billed to host the competition but later withdrew due to the unstable security situation in the North African country.

Ghana has appointed an 11-member committee to work towards securing the right to host the competition.


Additionally, six former Black Stars players and a former world boxing champion have been appointed to serve as ambassadors during the bidding process.


Ghana’s committee will leave for Cairo this weekend to present the country’s bid.


If successful, the West African country will be hosting Africa’s biggest football tournament for the second time in nine years.


Ghana hosted the 2008 tournament and placed third after beating Cote d’Ivoire.