Morocco withdraw as 2015 hosts

Morocco have withdrawn its rights to host the African

Cup of Nations next year due to fears of the viral 

disease Ebola, which has ravaged a number ofAfrican nations over the last few months.

Morocco government through the federation had given CAF three scenarios to either let them host the 2017 Afcon,C

AF to postpone Afcon 2015 to 2016 or they pull out completely and take any consequence from CAF but after the African football body failed to respond the government of Morocco on Thursday morning announced their decision to pull out to avoid the risk of Ebola spread to their nation,

A close source at the Ministry of Sports intimated "Since CAF rejected all our requests and suggestions then we are forced to withdraw from hosting Afcon 2015 with immediate effect to preserve the safety of our citizens and for that we are prepared to take any consequences that comes with our actions"The source who sort anonymity said.

The withdrawal of Morocco has tipped South Africa as the next hosts after Safa President Danny Jordan met with CAF President Issa Hayatou to discuss the matter while also Sudan put up their request to CAF to be considered as an alternative host country.

South Africa was initially scheduled to host the tournament in 2017 following the withdrawal of Libya as hosts due to ongoing fighting there.

Egypt meanwhile had also indicated interest in hosting next year’s Nations Cup, stating its confidence in organising the competition under short notice.

Afcon 2015 is scheduled to take place between January 17th to February 8th 2015.Morocco will be subject to severe sanctions including suspension of their national teams and clubs