Ghana FA President Kwesi Nyantakyi has lauded Equatorial Guinea’s decision to step in as hosts for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, describing their intervention as ‘a big relief’ to the continent.
The Central African country were named new hosts for the tournament last week following the decision of Morocco – the original hosts – to withdraw due to the outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus.
The 2015 AFCON was in danger of being called off in the absence of a host following Morocco’s late decision to no longer host the tournament.
But Equatorial Guinea – co-hosts of the 2012 AFCON with Gabon – agreed to take up the responsibility after talks with the top hierarchy of CAF last week.
Ghana FA boss Kwesi Nyantakyi who serves as on the Executive Committee of CAF admits Equatorial Guinea’s intervention comes as a massive relief.
“Equatorial Guinea emerging as hosts of the Africa Cup of Nations is a big relief to all of us,†he said.
“It is a big relief to CAF and a big relief to all the member associations of CAF.
“The competition was in a limbo and could have been cancelled in the absence of a host.
“And that would have been a big blow to CAF and would have set a bad precedence since 1957.â€
Equatorial Guinea will this replace Morocco as the host nation for the tournament which is scheduled to start on January 17.