AFCON 2017: CAF Sends Hosting Invitation To Nigeria As Libya Pulls Out

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) have confirmed that they have sent out invitation to all 54 member associations including Nigeria; informing them of opening bids for the hosting of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations. The development became necessary as Libya who were previously designated to host the Africa football showpiece have pulled out from the exercise.

CAF said on Saturday that a Libyan delegation led by the country's Minister of Youth and Sports and included the president of the Libyan Football Federation revealed in a meeting with CAF President Issa Hayatou that owing to the unstable security situation in the country, Libya would not be able to host the Afcon in 2017.



It was in this light that the Secretary General of CAF, Hicham El Amrani, dispatched a circular to all 54 member associations informing them of the decision and "opening bids for the hosting of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.

 The designation of the Host for this competition will be made according to the statutory provisions of CAF, especially in conformity with articles 27 to 47 of the Regulations Governing the Application of CAF Statutes.

CAF headquarters in Cairo will receive applications until Tuesday 30th September, 2014.

Nigeria has hosted AFCON twice; first in 1980 when she hosted and won and then in 2000 when she co-hosted with Ghana and finished as runners-up behind West African rivals Cameroon.