South Africa Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula said Monday that the country is "not ready to host the Africa Cup of Nations in January if Morocco withdraws because of the Ebola epidemic," according to the AFP. The Confederation of African Football has "reportedly approached"
South Africa, Ghana and five other countries ahead of a Nov. 2
meeting to "decide on the future of the continent's premier football
event." Mbalula tweeted, "Hosting AFCON (Africa Cup of
Nations) is a NO NO." He added that the country "had a
responsibility to help fight the Ebola epidemic "that has
killed more than 4,500 people, mainly in West Africa." South Africa was "among seven countries sounded out by the CAF as possible replacements should Morocco pull out." South Africa has "world-class stadia having become the first African hosts of the World Cup four years ago." Ghana has also been approached by the CAF. The identities of the "other five countries have not been officially revealed." CAF officials are "scheduled to discuss the Ebola crisis at a November
2 meeting in Algeria and travel to Morocco the following day for
make-or-break talks." Should Morocco withdraw and "more than one
country" offers to take over as host, a draw will decide who stages
the three-week "African football showpiece" (AFP, 10/20).
