Guinea’s Syli National to Host Togo in Morocco Amid Ebola Concerns
The Syli National of Guinea will begin their 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign away from home, hosting Togo in Casablanca, Morocco, due to ongoing concerns over the Ebola virus outbreak in Guinea.
In a detailed statement, Guinea’s Sports Minister Domani Doré expressed gratitude to the Moroccan authorities for their support and hospitality.
“The safety of our people and the Guinean sporting community has unfortunately forced CAF to relocate the match thousands of kilometers away from our beloved Stade du 28 Septembre,” said Doré. “While this decision is not ideal, it is understandable given the circumstances. I would like to thank His Majesty King Mohamed VI of Morocco, the Minister of Youth and Sports, and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation for their spirit of friendship and solidarity in granting our request to move the fixture.”
Doré also called on Guineans to rally behind their team, which will face the Togo Hawks at Casablanca’s Stade Mohammed V. “We would have preferred to play this match at the iconic Stade du 28 Septembre, but it is with a heavy heart that, until mid-September and beyond our control, our national team will compete elsewhere. Nonetheless, our Syli will rise to the occasion.”
The match is scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. GMT on September 5.
