Good Morning BF.. I believe you are also debating the Ebola issue.. Read the story below... Caf write to Ghana to host Afcon 2015 The government of Ghana has confirmed the receipt of a letter from the Confederation of African football to be on standby to host the next African Cup of Nations. Youth and Sports Minister Mahama Ayariga told Citi News in an exclusive interview that the football governing body saw Ghana as one country with a potential to quickly host the showpiece. But first, he dropped a strong hint that Morocco will not host the event. “It is only today that Im hearing of the formal refusal of Morocco to budge on the issue of the date which means that Caf would definitely need to look at an alternate venue.” Based on that, Caf started quickly contacting nations they see fit to step in. “Caf wrote to us a few days ago actually and indicated that Morocco had 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 but they will meet the Moroccan authorities and take a decision at that meeting. “But in the meantime they are writing to a number of countries that they think have the capacity to be an alternative venue… in the event of Morocco actually pulling out,” the minister told Citi Prime News on Thursday. The minister confirmed the Caf letter came through the Ghana Football Association, and it also said that other countries were being considered. What will make Ghana host it? Morocco requested Caf to postpone the tournament which was set for January next year, due to the Ebola epidemic, which Caf has turned a blind eye to. Ayariga says should Ghana choose to host, there would be two key considerations. “I have been looking at the two key issues involved. One, the cost of hosting it and secondly, the very health issues that is making Morocco to renege on the commitment they made to Caf.” Sources say that such an emergency hosting will cost Ghana about $10 million. But Ghanaians have been voicing immense displeasure at the very prospect of taking the next Afcon, which many see as a poisoned chalice. Why is Ghana even thinking of Afcon? Ayariga told Citi Sports’ Gary Al-Smith that Ghana’s government are sensitive to fears about the country’s readiness and will leave nothing to chance. “That is why we are evaluating the request. Guinea is a country that has a problem with Ebola. Morocco hosted Ghana to play Guinea in Casablanca. Guinea came to Ghana and played here yesterday. “Sierra Leone is a country that has a problem with Ebola and they were also in Cameroon. And so I think that we need to look at it in terms of the health issues and in terms of the financial implications too.” Earlier reports also said that South African Football Association (SAFA) president Danny Jordaan is set to meet with the Caf boss Issa Hayatou to discuss a way forward as South Africa is set to replace the North African giants.
Posted on: Fri, 17 Oct 2014 06:42:00 +0000
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