Seven Countries Submit Bids To Host 2017 Africa Cup Of Nations

The Confederation of African Football "revealed that seven countries have submitted a bid to host the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations," according to the BBC. They are Algeria, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Sudan and Zimbabwe. Nominations were opened on Aug. 23, "following the withdrawal of the original hosts Libya," with the deadline for bids set as Sep. 30. The host country "will be decided" by the CAF Exec Committee during one of its sessions in '15. CAF said that due to the limited time frame for the organization of the finals, the exec committee "will focus on the host with acceptable infrastructure and facilities required -- stadia, training grounds, accommodation, communications -- in making a decision." Of those bidding, Kenya and Zimbabwe "have not hosted tournaments before, though both have had winning bids." Libya was "stripped of the right to host the continent's showpiece tournament in August as ongoing fighting in the country delayed plans to build new stadiums for the 16-team finals" (BBC, 10/7).