adminJOHANNESBURG. — South African Football Association president Danny Jordaan has dismissed talk South Africa will host the 2015 African Cup of Nations.
“Afcon 2015 will not be held here. That issue does not exist,” Jordaan said at a press conference at SAFA House yesterday.
“Caf must discuss this matter with Morocco.”
Jordaan was responding to speculation that South Africa was on standby to stage the Caf event following reports that Morocco had withdrawn from doing so.
Morocco is said to have pulled out due to fears sparked by the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.
And the office of Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula has released a statement regarding speculation that South Africa may host the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.
According to reports earlier this week, Morocco are said to have withdrawn from staging the event due to fears sparked by the Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa.
Mbalula’s office has since released a statement, which reads: “We have noted media reports relating to South Africa possibly hosting African Nations Cup in place of Morocco in January 2015.
“It has been widely reported on the media that Morocco is alleged to have cancelled the hosting of the tournament on basis of Ebola fears and that South Africa could step in as a host.
“We must put it categorically clear that SAFA has not approached the minister with regard to this possibility.
“Nevertheless as the minister also reiterated during interviews throughout this week, there are just too many factors to consider for South Africa if we are too host a tournament of this magnitude.
“Our major concern of course remains the cost implications of such a tournament when South Africa is currently grappling with its own fiscal challenges.
“A tournament of this nature, if planned outside the normal budgetary cycle, will require budgetary adjustments, a process that is currently not an option.
“The tournament, as is also a concern for Morocco and many other countries in the world, may also pose a challenge on how we can grapple with the Ebola challenge engulfing the continent at the moment.
“We will however, await pronouncements from SAFA on this matter and respond factually once all facts are put before us.” — Kickoff.com
Online Reporter