Morocco withdraw as 2015 hosts of AFCON

Morocco have withdrawn its rights as hosts of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations due to fears over the spread of the Ebola virus that has hit the West African region.

The news comes a day after round four of qualifiers were played, with Algeria and Cameroon confirmed as the first two nations to secure their place at next year's tournament.

According to reports, Morocco are prepared to deal with any consequences that their decision to pull out as the 2015 AFCON hosts may have.

The Moroccan government's initial request to postpone the tournament to later in the year was rejected by the continental body last week.

They have since proposed that they swap the 2017 hosting rights relinquished by Libya or postpone the tournament to 2016, but CAF had not responded, which forced them to make the announcement on Thursday.