CAF gives Ghana Saturday deadline

CAF has given Ghana a deadline of Saturday to present their case for hosting the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations if Morocco fails to confirm their decision to host the tournament in January.

Ghana are among the countries who have been pencilled down by Africa’s governing body to replace the north African who are seeking the postponement of the tournament because of the scourge of Ebola.

Ghana’s Ministry for Sports must get its documents ready by Saturday to step in as replacement for Morocco if they fail to reach an agreement on Saturday.

A CAF statement read: “The Executive Committee of CAF confirms its commitment to keep the competition on the dates indicated, while asking the Royal Moroccan Football Federation to clarify the position of Morocco no later than 8 November, 2014.

“This time given also applies to all other CAF national associations wishing to organise the competition on the dates agreed as long as the hosting requirements are met.”

The Moroccan Ministry of Youth and Sports requested the postponement of the tournament in October, and met with officials in Algiers on Monday to discuss the issue further fearing Ebola could hit the country and spread if they host the tournament in January.

Ebola has killed thousands of people in recent months as it continues to spread in the west of Africa.

The virus has already affected AFCON qualifying, with several matches relocated.

However, CAF has unanimously agreed to maintain its previous stance that will see the tournament take place as planned from 17 January to 8 February, giving the host nation until Saturday to clarify its position.

CAF insists Morocco is capable of hosting the tournament without any health problems for the country as the all the Ebola-hit countries Liberia and Sierra Leone are not likely to qualify while Guinea already host their home matches in the north African country without any problems.

“Of the three countries where the epidemic is prevalent, only Guinea retains a chance of qualifying for the final tournament of the Orange AFCON 2015,” it continued.

“In addition, Guinea hosts its home games in Casablanca and has adhered to a strict health protocol implemented by Morocco that has so far showed no flaws.