Nigeria Could Host 2015 Afcon, Says NFF Vice President

Nigeria could host the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations if Morocco pulls out of staging the finals, according to the vice president of the Nigeria Football Federation.

The north African country is currently in deliberations over its place as hosts of next year's finals due to fears over the spread of the Ebola virus.

Morocco asked the Confederation of African Football (Caf) to postpone the tournament to a later date instead of its present January-February schedule but the governing body is not ready to do so, and has written to several countries - including Ghana and Egypt - to ask if they might be able to host the finals.

But Nigeria could throw their hat into the ring to stage the tournament despite fears of the possibility of teams from Ebola-ravaged countries qualifying for the competition and bringing along their supporters.

Africa's largest country was certified Ebola-free by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Monday, six weeks after the last case of the disease in the nation was reported, and this could prompt renewed interest from international organisations.

"I think we are interested [in hosting the Afcon]," new NFF vice president Seyi Akinwunmi told Goal on Monday.

"It is not strictly the purview of the NFF alone but we have been asked [if we can host the competition] and we have said yes, why not?

"I think that the Commission or the Federal Government is looking at the possibility of hosting the tournament," added Akinwunmi, who disclosed that Caf had not yet formally written to Nigeria.

South Africa has already turned down the opportunity to host the tournament with Safa president Danny Joordan saying: "The Afcon 2015 tournament will not be held here. That issue doesn't exist. Caf must discuss this matter with Morocco.”

With the Eagles struggling to qualify for the 2015 tournament, hosting the competition would give them automatic qualification to defend the title they won in Africa last year.


Source: Goal