No Postponement for 2015 Africa Cup of Nations: CAF Maintains Dates Amid Morocco’s Hesitation
The 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will go ahead as scheduled, from January 17 to February 8, despite a request by Morocco to postpone the tournament due to Ebola fears. This decision was confirmed in a statement issued by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following talks with Moroccan authorities.
🦠 Ebola Concerns vs CAF Confidence
CAF emphasized that it has strictly followed WHO guidelines since the Ebola outbreak began and suspended competitions in the three most affected countries: Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea. Despite these measures, Morocco has expressed concerns, citing the potential risk of hosting large gatherings.
CAF, however, argues that:
No Ebola-related incidents have occurred at any CAF-organized match.
The Club World Cup, set to be hosted by Morocco just weeks before AFCON, features teams and fans from outside Africa, including Spain (which had Ebola cases), and poses a greater logistical challenge than the Nations Cup.
Attendance from African countries is expected to be minimal due to limited purchasing power and geographical constraints, except for nearby North African nations.
🔁 Morocco’s Deadline: November 8
CAF has given Morocco until November 8 to confirm or withdraw from hosting duties. Should Morocco decline, other interested countries must submit bids by the same date. The CAF Executive Committee will then meet in Cairo on November 11 to finalize a plan B.
🔒 CAF’s Position
CAF remains firm:
The AFCON will be held on its original dates to avoid disrupting the packed football calendar, including the 2016 African Nations Championship.
Respecting the FIFA international calendar is crucial to guarantee player releases from overseas clubs.
Any deviation could harm the credibility of African football on the global stage.
⚠️ Summary: The 2015 AFCON is still on for January 17–February 8, but whether Morocco will host remains unknown. If they decline by November 8, CAF will scramble to find a new host in just over two months.
