Hosting of Africa’s prestigious tournament, the African Cup of Nations is a dream of every single country on the continent due the economical gains and recognition it brings to the hosting country
But it seems the enthusiastic and the euphoria the game brings is gradually becoming extinct as some countries are withdrawing from hosting the tournament due to the most deadly Ebola virus escalating in the west-side of the continent.
The game which is held biannually was supposed to be hosted by Morocco after successfully winning the bid a year back.
But the Moroccans have officially withdrawn from hosting the 2015 African Cup of Nations due to fears over the Ebola epidemic.
Morocco representative Mohamed Ouzzine released a statement saying, “This demand is motivated essentially by the last report from the World Health Organisation, which contained alarming numbers at the extent and spread of the virus.”
Their withdrawal forced the Confederation of African Football [CAF] to opt Ghana and South Africa to consider hosting the tournament.
Nonetheless, the government of Ghana according to the Ministry of Youth and Sports has officially announced that they will consider the offer and will make the requisite plans to make the tournament [if hosted in Ghana] a successful one.
But many including founding President and Chief Executive Officer of the IMANI Center for Policy and Education, Franklin Cudjoe are kicking against Ghana’s idea to host the esteem tournament.
According to him, he will do whatever it takes to make sure the game is stopped from entering Ghana despite winning the trophy for four times.
“I will personally lead a campaign to prevent Ghana’s Ministry of Sports and the Football Association from hosting the unplanned African Cup of Nations in 2015,” he posted on Facebook.
Franklin explains his reasons to kick against AFCON 2015
My reason? We will be inviting the dreaded EBOLA into Ghana with thousands of national football supporters from the sub region who may be developing symptoms of the disease.
Morocco, a far more advanced country with a better health care system rejected the Confederation of African Football’s request to host the next tournament.
It would be very wicked on the part of any official in government to even dream of staging the tournament in Ghana in 2015! NO! NO! NO!
Source: GhanaWeb
