Ebola: South Africa, Ghana could replace Morocco

South Africa and Ghana have been asked by the Africa Cup of Nations organisers whether they are pre­pared to host the 2015 tournament if Morocco withdraws over Ebola fears.
A letter from African Football Confederation (CAF) Secretary Gen­eral, Hicham El Amrani, asks an unknown num­ber of national associa­tions whether they would be ready to organise the event. The letter reads in part: “In case Morocco refuses to maintain the staging of the competi­tion at the agreed dates, CAF would like to know whether your federation would be willing and able to organise the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

“Kindly note that this let­ter is also sent to some other federations capable of staging the 2015 edi­tion of the event. “In case CAF receives two or more positive responses, a draw will be made by the executive commit­tee to designate the host of the 2015 edition.” A senior football official in Johannesburg told AFP on condition of anonym­ity that South Africa and Ghana were among the countries who received the letter. Morocco said last week that they wanted the January 17-February 8 tournament postponed because they feared it could trigger a spread of the Ebola epidemic. Al­most 4,500 people have died this year from Ebola, mainly in west African states Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Guinea and Sierra Leone play home fixtures outside the country, and neither team is likely qualifiers for the 2015 tournament. Libe­ria was eliminated in the preliminary rounds. CAF rejected the Moroccan re­quest to delay the biennial African football show­piece, but will discuss the issue on November 2 in Algeria.