2015 AFCON: Equatorial Guinea to host tournament

Equatorial Guinea have been named as the hosts for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, replacing Morocco.

The Confederation of African Football selected a new host for the 17 January to 8 February finals after rejecting Morocco’s request to delay the event. Morocco were concerned over the spread of the outbreak of the Ebola virus.

Caf subsequently expelled Morocco from the relocated tournament, which will now be held in the country who co-hosted with Gabon in 2012. Equatorial Guinea will now take on sole responsibility for holding the 16-team event, despite having only two major stadiums in the capital Malabo and Bata.

It is not clear whether the new hosts will be able to play in the tournament because the team was disqualified in July for fielding an ineligible player in a preliminary qualifier against Mauritania on 17 May.