Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
There will be no perching in the Moroccan sun for Nigeria’s Super Eagles if they do the near impossible and qualify for the 2015 CAF/Orange Africa Cup of Nations after Morocco were disqualified from the competition.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Wednesday confirmed that the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations will not be held in Morocco as earlier planned and the country has been disqualified from the competition.
The 2015 edition was scheduled take place in four cities in the Mediterranean country but the authorities there pulled out because of health concerns related to the Ebola virus.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles, who are the defending champions of the competition, are neck deep in qualifying, and if they scale the hurdle, will d
efend the trophy at a venue to be announced after the Caf executive meeting.
As per a statement released on their website (www.cafonline.com) the African football ruling body said that it had earlier rejected Morocco’s request for the tournament to be postponed, and subsequent to the country’s refusal to agree, the Executive Committee have now confirmed that the Orange Africa Cup of Nations 2015 will not take place in Morocco.
The Executive Committee also revealed a number of countries who had earlier indicated their interest in staging the competition on the dates agreed will be reviewed and confirmation will be made soon for the draws and new hosts of the competition proper.
Caf also confirmed that the qualifiers for match day 5 and 6 which is to be held between November 14/15 to November 19) will still go ahead, where 15 teams are expected to qualify and the new host will join the rest of the countries to complete the numbers.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles are scheduled to meet Congo in Pointe Noire on November 15 before clashing with South Africa in Uyo four days later.
The Eagles are in dire straits and must get good results in the last two games to stand a chance of qualifying for the 30th edition of the biennial African football showpiece event.