Guinea to Host Togo in Morocco Amid Ebola Concerns
Guinea has confirmed that it will host its upcoming African Cup of Nations qualifying match against Togo in Casablanca, Morocco, following a decision forced by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) due to Ebola-related safety concerns.
The match, originally scheduled to be played in Guinea, has been relocated to Morocco as part of precautionary measures amid the ongoing Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Guinean authorities officially announced the choice on Monday, with formal notification to CAF expected shortly.
Morocco was selected for several practical reasons, including its geographical proximity to France, where the Guinean national team trains and where several expatriate players are based. Additionally, the location facilitates the team’s travel plans ahead of their subsequent fixture against Uganda in Kampala, Uganda, for the second round of the 2015 CAN qualifiers.
Guinea had also considered Dakar, Senegal, as a potential alternative venue but ultimately opted for Casablanca to streamline logistics and player availability.
The Syli National will once again face Togo in Casablanca on 5 September, as part of the U17 African Cup of Nations qualifying campaign for Niger 2014. A second encounter between the two sides is scheduled for 14 September, also in Morocco.
This relocation marks another instance of football adapting to public health challenges in the region, balancing safety concerns with the continuity of continental competitions.
