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Morocco withdraw rights to host 2015 AFCON due to Ebola scare

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Morocco has withdrawn its rights to host the 2015 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament which was scheduled owing to the Ebola scare.

Morocco last week wrote to CAF who they gave three scenarios with an option of pulling out and face any consequences CAF did not give in to their requests.

The other two options were for CAF to let them host the 2017 AFCON or CAF to postpone AFCON 2015 to 2016

South Africa are already looking to be in contention to pick the pieces and take up the hosting of the tournament next year.

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    • We cannot prevent people who have Ebola from crossing our boarders because symptoms only appear 21 days after contact has been made with the sickness! Like it or not, Morocco is correct…

  5. Morocco have made a responsible decision. They’re too close to the Ebola neighbourhood and many fans could have made the journey to Casablanca, Rabat and Tangiers . Inasmuch as we love football, we love life even more.

  10. Morocco has done well. CAF is a very disrespectful organization. Morocco is punishing them. How can you award Ivory coast and Guinea the rights to host afcon when we all know Ebola is all over that place. Guinea cannot host an afcon for the next 20 years. Zambia was supposed to be given the right. Morocco pulling out shows you how serious ebola is and how caf should have taken this into account when picking nations to host. Corrupt hayatou is now being punished for his corruption. I forsee Guinea pulling out. Ebola may also hit Cameroon soon.

  11. Morrocco has made a very good responsible decision. CAF should take a 3 year break before any member country can host this tournament. This is a DEADLY disease! As Africans lets
    not spread this disease knowingly!

  12. Morrocco has made a very good responsible decision. CAF should take a 3 year break before any member country can host this tournament. This is a DEADLY disease! As Africans lets
    not spread this disease knowingly

  14. Good one!! This good for nothing, mediocrity so called touranment should be suspended or cancel altogether!!

    This is a useless touranment and at a time, when western saboteurs want to wipe out a lot of black people, we shouldn’t aid their efforts by staging this meaningless competition which ll compound the problems further!!

  15. I side with Morocco on this one. Let the afcon be suspended for 2 years and only be held in 2017 until the Ebola disease is contained. Those countries that will qualify for the AFCON (which was supposed to be held in Morocco 2015) should only play in 2017. All CAF club championships should be suspended for now.
    Ebola has no friends. Life is more valuable than Ebola.

  20. @john, I actually support your sentiments. I was also surprised and angry at Hayatou’s level of corruption, this former athlete, now running African football. What arrogance!!! How can someone give hosting rights to 3 countries from one region? and none of these countries has even started putting the type of infrastructure Zambia has already put in place. For Zambia all it needed were 2 more stadia and we were home and dry. If anything, with only subtle adjustments, Kitwe’s Arthur Stadium and Nkana, or Konkola, Godfrey Chitalu can host an international CAF game.
    I have travelled around and you can’t beat that kind of infrastructure before a bid. The nonsence about technicalities of bidding can never accept, I am an Archtect and have handled bids before. If you see a wonderful bid that has not met some technical requirements, you can always give them a provisionary offer pending rectification of some mistakes. So bufi ukutila ba Zambia’s bid didn’t go through because of some nonsensical technical aspects. It is just blatanta Corruption , nepotism and useless regionalism. He just wants to go out as the CAF president who gave so much for his region, if anything that crook could have given all 3 bids to Cameroun to host.
    Even when one of these countries fail to host and they come crying wolf, or lion or even tiger, we should never accept. Balitumpa sana, let them hang with hosting rights to their AFCON.

  22. It would be wise decision to suspend the tournament altogether as the continent is in turmoil due to Ebola.
    Southern African countries please don’t even entertain the idea of hosting it .

  25. EBOLA is not a child’s play. CAF has the prerogative to suspend the 2015 tournament. No country would agree to host this continental showpiece. Yes many would say South Africa has the capacity to setup checks in all entry points but that will won’t stop this virus. Somebody can contract the virus without knowing if it is in incubation period. Later a person wil start presenting the signs of the Ebola virus when its too late, and already more persons would have contracted this deadly disease.

  26. Guys why are you suggesting Angola or RSA to step in and host 2015 afcon? Do you want to bring Ebola to our region? Be reminded that Ebola has claimed 4,500 lives across the entire west africa. West Africa is a breeding ground for ebola so it dangerous to play football with those countries.
    Michael Essein is also struggling with it but is currently undergoing on treatment in Spain by specialised doctors.

  27. @Mumbi you are right no Ebola no Boko haram,no West Africans are welcome to Southern Africa. Let Ghana or Nigeria host the 2015 afcon and let Ghana win it without Southern African team because it has been over 33 years now.

  28. I heard CAF has written to SAFA to consider hosting it …SA or Angola please don’t as many coming from up there will use that as a means of seeking asylum. Asifune Lana ,let’em suspend it or host it there.

  29. Faz should not even think of asking Caf to hand us the rights to host the Afcon 2015.Ebola is a deadly virus and our government has no capacity to contain the virus if it were to spread.

  31. Other countries are firing underperforming coaches like nigeria and ghana. we can also do the same. this is the time to fire the crap coach janza. yesterdays win was nothing short of a fluke

  32. CAF was not fair in giving the rights to host the competition to guinea and Ivory coast. So its time for caf to feel the heat. Thanks Morocco and long live ebola in west Africa !!!

  33. CAF is a very useless and corrupt organization you do not need to be a university Graduate to know that Ivory coast and Guinea cannot host any afcon in the next 20 years. Zambia should have been given the right to host afcon 2019. Who wants to travel to Guniea or their neighbors Ivory coast and risk dying?

  35. Wise decision morocco, as much as soccer is a unifying sport no life shd be risked with deadly Ebola on the loose.if CAF has wisdom 2015 tournment shd be postpond to 2017 and those who qualified this year automatically are the one to compete in 2017.otherwise the whole Africa will be affected with Ebola

  39. As much bad as i see it, hosting 2019 cup in would be more deadly than 2015, for now, its only Guinee, iberia, sierra leone, and a bit in other countries, some of them are not even qualifying,on top, you can easily not allow people from thsese countries not to come and watch. now if we look at 2019,which we wanted to host, it will would be catastrophic, Thank God we lost, As for Caf, they have a committee, yet they failed to identify this big challenge in their voting, what incompitence they are, it has taken morocco to remind them that Guinne and Ivory cost may not be fit to host it.

  40. It is pleasing to see bloggers unanimously electing to live longer than have the Afcon. As it is now, it does not matter who shall volunteer or be nominated to host the tournament but the truth is that, it is almost impossible to stop people from Ebola-affected areas to go and watch the games. It will not itch anyone to shelve the Afcon until the continent is safe for everyone of us. Let Isa Hayatou relocate to Liberia or Siera-leone if he does not care about his life. It is nonsensical for CAF to indirectly suggest that people should commit suicide, so to speak. It is better for us to spare our lives and watch future tournaments than sacrifice our lives just for one tournament.

  42. Just watched the documentary “eighteen” telling the story of the Zambian National teams rise from the 1993 disaster….to 2012 Afcon victory….brilliant documentary … really touching and emotional…..excellent piece…..

  43. I think you need to double check this story. Yes, Morocco has expressed concerns about maintaining the African Cup of Nations in January 2015 and wants it to be postponed due to Ebola. But it has not withdrawn as host. I have checked all the majors sports and news outlets. None has said this.

  44. …….the mere thought abt Ghana makes some pepo shit in their pants!!!!
    it took some braggarts 48yrs to kiss an aluminium silverware and wud take eternity to qualify for the big stage.

  50. @ Syd are you really that behind in information that you dont know that Morocco has withdrawn?? I feel sorry for you my man.

    Anyway to the rest of the people who keep abreast with the latest news, I am also of the view point that South Africa should not host this cup. This disease way too serious to risk it coming to this side of Africa. If it spreads to this side the chances of ever containing it will be nil. My heart goes out to the over 4500 lives that have been lost and to those who are curently sick but to control this disease it needs to be contained.

  51. Zambia should also withdrew its participation in 2015 afcon if CAF insists that the tornament should go on. Caf is full of waste african officials so they can use the tornament to spread Ebola to all parts of africa.
    Lives are more important than sports. these Caf executive are just shy to award Sieraleon or Liberia to host 2015 afcon. We know they have asked Ghana to host so that Ebola is spread across africa. Ghana is also badly infested with this pandemic.

  52. It’s really absurd that CAF still wants to proceed with this year’s afcon. How pitiful! This EBOLA disease is deadly and highly contageous as common cold; why CAF can’t even think about Africans well-being, but the little money they’ll gain out of the tourney is simply AWFUL. The most important task at this moment for the entire AFRICA is putting a stop on this EBOLA EPIDEMIC first, then we can talk football. Let’s be serious and take care of our problems, cos it’s a big disgrace.

    • @Lebron

      Please educate yourself bro. Ebola is not contagious at least not at the same level as a common cold. The disease is spread by coming in contact with bodily fluids of someone who is infected. Lets not spread lies out here. If this disease was like the common cold, we would be talking about a plague.

      Clearly there are precautions that the whole world is putting in place. Thinking of going to west africa for the next 3 africa cups is also dangerous. Perhaps putting in place travel restrictions or simply postponing the tournament may not be a bad idea, but if this is the case why continue playing qualifiers then?

  53. Facts first: Can Ebola thrive in conditions different from those existing in the tropical rain forest, Warm, moist and others of that environment? my belief is just like mu grade 5, Paul can you subtract 3 from 2, it can’t, ba Teacher.
    Second: I believe Ebola as a virus cannot thrive in deserts and other environments structurally different from that found in tropical rain forest. But to bring it in is a different issue. If people arrive with it in its incubation period, it may affect those who come in contact with them.
    Finally: If left without translocation and migration of people it will be limited to the tropical rain forestbelt around the globe.
    After what CAF did to Zambia, let Cameroun host it also so that Issa Galedu Hayatou can achieve his dreams, but don’t bring it to our region.

  54. @naked goal, I find you comment quite inconsiderate. Ebola is killing your fellow Africans and all you say long live ebola in west africa. This is a serious disease which can easily reach zambia as well. Away from that, I think the move by Morocco is in good faith as they are looking out for their citizens. I for one would like to see the afcon 2015 start dates pushed further to a period when the disease has been well controlled. By the way, did you know that ebola has an incubation period ranging from 2 to 21 days

  57. You guyz in as much as we respect the decision by Morrocco, there is always a solution to this problem for which ever country will host the tournament and that is to;

    Ask CAF not to allow Ebola Affected countries to travel with their Fans and Local players just the way it has been in the Qualifiers. You cannot stop playing football because of the disease. How about if this disease is here to stay in Africa? This is not a seasonal disease like Colera mind u? so lets just come up with rules on how to host the affected countries.

  58. @Lebron James you right my brother CAF is not look at the interest of the people of this continent. This is not about the few countries in West Africa who have the disease but the continent as a whole.
    Why insist on hosting a tournament when the risks are high? Greed from Isa Hayatou.

  59. This should be put on hold until all the ebola problem vanish, otherwise the lives of innocent people will be in trouble. Not even my South Africa should consider hsting it

  60. Chiefsokaman, we all love soccer and dream it. Ebola is not just a desease, its terrible. Cholera & HIV is better than Ebola. Cholera is treatable while Sondashi formula cures HIV.
    Afcon should be postponed even in 2016. Ebola can wipe out entire Africa if u are not careful.

  61. Postpone or host it in a country like Ghana or self anointed big brother of Africa, Nigeria. Tournaments held in South Africa attract too many illegal immigrants from west Africa to the region. Am beginning to suspect Danny Jordan is corrupt!

  62. Chiefsokaman we need to postponed the tournament until we settle the problem of Ebola. may Allah have mercy, forgiveness, and bring peace to our fellow brothers and sisters in west Africa.

  64. People need to educate themselves on Ebola. You cannot contract it by simply coming in contact with a person.

    YOU HAVE TO ACTUALLY COME IN CONTACT WITH THE BODILY FLUIDS FOR THE DISEASE TO SPREAD. Someone would have to be vomiting and having diarrhea or bleeding from their orrifices and then if you come in contact with that then you can catch ebola. People need to stop spreading misinformation. Google, Yahoo, Ask, check the freakin internet for facts. The mortality rate is high yes, but lets not act like it is the plague.

    I am not disagreeing with Morrocco, but you all need to do better than act kwati a bunch of alarmists.

  65. @Mumbi, grow up. How can you post such a comment about “long live ebola….” People are dying from this disease. Bushe how would you feel if someone said long live AIDS in Zambia? Muletontokanya before you post some things.

  66. @mumbi u r sooooo ignorant.Ghana does not share borders with the affected countries.go back to grade 1 and be taught basic geography

  67. Good,Danny Jordan has rejected SA hosting 2015 AFCON.
    This CAF instead of dealing with it in confinement they want the whole continent to be at risk.

  68. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has written to urge Ghana to consider hosting next year’s African Cup of Nations (AFCON) should Morocco go ahead and pull out from hosting the games.

    Moroccan media on Wednesday reported that the country has officially pulled out of hosting the games, however there has not been any official communication on the development.

    Morocco wrote officially to CAF some 10 days ago stating inability to guarantee the hosting of the tournament because of the threats of the Ebola virus disease.

    Ghana’s MInister for Youth and Sports confirmed CAF has written to Ghana.

    “CAF wrote to us a few days ago actually and indicated that Morocco has given strong indications, that they will pull out if CAF did not change the date and CAF also indicated that it was firm on those dates.”

  69. @ positive thinking, my brother you really have to actually educate yourself precisely about EBOLA. Who said body fluid contact is the only way it spread? Body fluid contact is just a basic way of avoiding most contageous diseases…..

  70. Cont, like Mumbi said it’s even better to avoid AIDS & Cholera than EBOLA. This is the reasons why over 4,500 people are already dead, avoiding a bodily fluid contact is only one of the preventive precautions….

  71. Brother….If Aficans refuse to take EBOLA as highly contageous, it could wipe out a bunch of people due to illiteracy problem and our poor sanitation.

  73. According to some studies, the neutral reservoir host of EBOLA viruses hasn’t been identified and those who believe it’s just west african problem should think again. You can even get the disease from the BUSHMEAT [several mamals] you eat.

  75. @positive thinking. forgive my good frend mumbi. I shod think he took sum strong drink wen he wrote that. thats not the mumbi I know.

  76. My fellow African brothers, greetings from Chipolopolo Land. It appears the major cause of social, economic, medical, cultural, mental, moral, sporting, degradation of life in West Africa has its root in maddening levels of selfishness! Nigeria has some of the most fertile soils in the world, yet millions of Nigerians flee Nigeria in hunger and take shelter in South Africa whilst people in neighboring countries less well off than Nigeria and Ghana, such as Congo DRC, Zambia, Tanzania, Malawi, choose to preserve their dignity by staying in their land of birth despite the hardships! Zambia has participated in many international events without recording a single record of a Zambian applying for political, economic asylum. The high rates of West African mobility has fueled the spread of ebola in comparison to out breaks in DRC, Uganda and other non West African countries. West Africa is a powerhouse in youth football but……… The corruption of the GFA has spilled onto the soccer pitches whereby Ghana games are bought and paid for regardless of the efforts of the players! And Ghanians cheer. Afcon tournaments through corruption are monopolized in West Africa with countries with little or no infrastructure selected to host in malaria, cholera prone countries. Little do you know that the same snake will turn around empty your coffers and like an irresponsible parent who pays off teachers to pass his child; the growth of the Black Stars has been stunted, coaches are chosen in bizarre fashion inimical to the interests of Ghana! And this ladies and gentlemen is a microcosm of your government, your country, your region! Before Ghana, Nigeria can be an America, you have to be humble, suffer and first be a China! The first generations of Americans had to suffer to pave way for prosperity for future generations. So my fellow West Africans; abandon your attitudes of ego centrism, selfishness and even begging and be like the Chinese; embrace education and think of prosperity for all in future generations and not the opium of shortermism of get rich by hook or crook or die trying! Nigeria has oil and arable soils, the Nigerian population is only half of Americas population and a tenth of China or India’s population, Ghana has gold and recently discovered oil ! Sereleonne has diamonds and a small population. Liberia has iron along with other minerals along with a small population. The total population of West Africa is “approximately” 340 million whereas the population of the US as of 2014 is 314 million. Resource wise, including land and water, West Africa is under populated but……… West Africa needs a cultural, psychological paradigm shift from mind numbing selfishness to the humility, togetherness of the Chinese. Nigeria is a poor country period; and Nigerians vote with their feet, cooked economic figures wont feed hungry Nigerians nor clothe the naked but is no more than a smoke screen to make greedy leaders feel like top dog, at international get togethers, whilst their people throw themselves at the high seas in search of a better life! Pride and refugee status are as unmixable as oil and water!

  77. @Lebron

    Well, I will do that. However; to describe Ebola to be as contagious as the common cold is folly and completely innaccurate. There are now 3 cases where an Ebola patient has travelled by plane. One of whom died in Texas after contracting the disease in Liberia and flying 8 plus hours on an internantional flight. Had this had the same effect as a cold, there would have at least been 1 or 2 other people infected on that flight. As of right now, that number from the plane is zero. The only affected people were the nurses treating him, and guess what. Those nurses were exposed to his bodily fluids. Either way, I have had to talk to people wanting to stop all flights from West Africa to the US and if Africans are going to be in a panic what more if the West starts to now close its borders and such. This used to be a poor mans disease (which is why the cure is there but has not been mass produced) and a disease for refugees if you recall the outbreak in 1993/94 in Congo DR. I don’t think any country wants to risk the disease, and if there isn’t a host for AFCON 2015 then maybe we should just cancel the tournament all together.

  78. Africa needs to become like China, Singapore and other Asian tigers; impose the death penalty for corruption, drug dealing and other social ills! Western countries are inbetween being fatigued and apathetic to the suffering of Africans! The “Bring our girls back” crusade failed to gather any steam in western countries much to the dismay of Mrs Obama! In short No one respects beggars! Africa needs to climb off it’s knees!

  79. Should CAF go ahead and allow the tournament to proceed they must consider having it under closed stadiums, no fans allowed… that way the games can proceed and at least they’ll make some money from the TV rights…

  80. @ Positive thinking
    I watched the entire case unfold live from reliable source (CNN), MSNBC news, local news stations including Andrea Michell report. One thing you can’t argue about is how he travelled by the plane, you and I were not in the flight with him. But trust me, safety measures will always be put in place to avoid spreading. You know the airline would be facing a big law suit tho…if preventive measures were not taking care of.
    Again, I used common cold as an “attention grabber” for the readers to acknowledge the seriousness of the disease and that necessary doesn’t mean common cold exactly.

  84. morocco should be punished even more than a single year suspention they have refused to host the afcon but accepted to host FIFA clubs world cup those chaps they thinks they are europeans ebola is there in dpain lets see if they will stop real madrid to come to morocco. unless they also withdraw the host of the clubs world cup then i will accept not only afcon

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