Ghana one of seven countries to bid to host Afcon 2017

[Windsorlou]

Ghana one of seven countries to bid to host Afcon 2017

By Lolade Adewuyi
Oct 7, 2014 13:58:00

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced that Egypt and Algeria were also among those to place a bid before deadline day to host the finals in three years' time

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced that Ghana are among seven countries to put in their bid before deadline day to host the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.

Libya were scheduled to host the tournament after switching the 2013 Afcon with South Africa but finally dropped out following increased unrest in that country.

Egypt, Algeria, Ghana, Kenya, Sudan, Zimbabwe and 2012 co-hosts Gabon all signified their intention to play host to the continent's biggest football event prior to the deadline on September 30.

While the eventual host will be known in 2015, Caf announced that, due to the time constraints over the new bid, only countries with standard stadia, accommodation, communication and training facilities will be considered.

While the north African candidates have a good opportunity to retain the tournament should it be held in the region, Egypt might be considered not safe enough to host the tournament considering the political upheaval in the country.

Ghana co-hosted with Nigeria in 2000 and went alone in 2008 and could still use many of the facilities from that period.

Kenya would hope to take it to east Africa with the argument that the region with the slowest growth of the game on the continent could benefit greatly from hosting the competition, while Zimbabwe will hope that hosting the tournament will help restore them on the international circuit.

Since hosting the 2012 tournament, Gabon has seen its stock rise and even went on to host the Trophee des Champions game between Paris Saint-Germain and Bordeaux last year.

For Sudan, it would be an opportunity to open its doors once more to the continent's big teams after hosting the 2011 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

The host country will be decided by the CAF Executive Committee during one of its sessions in 2015.