CAF removes Libya as host of 2017 Nations Cup

Libya has lost its right to host the 2017 African Nations Cup finals owing to continued fighting in the country. The on-going war in the country has been delaying plans to build new stadiums for the tournament.

In a statement on its twitter page earlier today, Saturday, August 23, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) invited other African countries to bid for the hosting right.

According to the statement, countries wishing to host the tournament have until 30 September to send in expressions of interest. “Countries wishing to host AFCON2017 have up to 30 September 2014 to send in expressions of interest to CAF HQ. Decision 2015 by CAF Exco”

Libya was originally supposed to host the Nations Cup in 2013 but the civil war in the country which led to the ousting of the country’s then dictator, Muammar Gaddafi, made it swap places with original 2017 host South Africa.