South Africa replace Libya as Africa U20 hosts

South Africa have been named as the new hosts of the African Youth Championship originally scheduled for Libya.

The tournament was meant to begin on 18 March in Tripoli but was postponed because of the civil strife in the north African country.

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) says the tournament will now take place from 17 April to 2 May.

"We to decided to move the U20 finals to South Africa," Caf President Issa Hayatou said in a statement.

"The Executive Committee took that decision on Tuesday."

The decision means South Africa, who had not qualified for the tournament, will replace Libya in Group A.

They will face Mali, Egypt and Lesotho in that group.

Defending champions Ghana have been paired in Group B with Nigeria, Cameroon and The Gambia.

The four teams in each group will meet in a round-robin format, with group winners and runners-up progressing to the semi-finals - and a place at the World Cup in Colombia in July.

South Africa also hosted the World Cup last year.

Libya has been embroiled in social unrest for about a month with protesters asking for the country's leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi to step down.