The fear of the Ebola epidemic ravaging some countries in Africa, has cost Morocco, hosting right of the 2015 Orange Africa Cup of Nations, and also the chance of featuring in the competition, as the request for the postponement of the competition, by the Minister of Youth and Sports of the kingdom of Morocco, was turned down by CAF.

It was understood that CAF want to maintain its matches calendar for the competition, hence, the problem of "which nation can host the competition within a short notice" at the  expense of Morocco; and had written to its 54 member countries that the Ebola scare is not enough reason to change their qualifying matches calendar and venues across the African continent with the exception of three countries, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, where there have been a significant number of Ebola cases. The decision was made after CAF had consulted the World Health organization, and went on to ask the three countries to move their matches to a more safer and neutral venues.

Also, in its statement, CAF had confirm that they had by November 10, received some applications to host the tournament according to schedule.
 
"These applications are currently under review and the Executive Committee will finalize the selection of the successful National Association shortly and confirm the place and date of the draw of the final tournament at the same time”, said CAF.

With this in mind, CAF had a number of potential replacements for the role of host nation, which includes South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria and Kenya.
 
It was rumoured that Ghana might be interested in hosting, but Ghana’s Sports Minister, Mahama Ayariga confirmed that they will not host, because of the fear of the deadly Ebola virus.
 
Nigeria has what it takes to host the competition, considering her success in hosting the world at junior level and the brand new facility in Akwa-Ibom State, but presidential election is scheduled to hold a week after the competition.
 
South Africa would have been favourite, haven successfully hosted the World Cup and Afcon between 2010 – 2013, but they never showed interest in hosting the competition.

Morocco is also scheduled to play host to Fifa World Club Cup in December.

With only two Ebola-free African countries club Moghreb Athletic de Tétouan (Morocco) and Entente Sportive Sétifienne (Algeria) to be participating; and other teams outside the Ebola-threatened continent, Morocco is willing to host the Fifa World Club Cup as scheduled.

After all considerations, it was announced by CAF, on 14th November, that the 2015 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations will be held in Equatorial Guinea.

And it was agreed that matches will be held at four venues (Bata, Ebebiyin, Mongomo and the capital Malabo).

The draw for the finals will be in Malabo on December.

CAF president, Hayatou express his gratitude to Obiang for agreeing to his country hosting the tournament in short notice.

“To agree to organise a competition like this two months before the event, you must admit you really have to be a true African,” Hayatou said.

Also Equatorial Guinea was praised by African Union Chief Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

“The Ebola outbreak in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone should not paralyse continental programmes and events,” Dlamini-Zuma said.

“Like many other challenges the continent has faced in the past, the Ebola outbreak is being surmounted and is by no means a reason to stall the African Cup of Nations.

“Football is a unique unifying force of our continent and the world. We look forward to once again coming together and celebrating Africa together in the exhilarating 2015 AFCON tournament in Equatorial Guinea.

“We should remember that we have fought and defeated many tragedies including HIV/AIDS whose spread has been significantly halted. We will defeat Ebola.”

Equatorial Guinea hosted the 2012 African Women Championship and also were co-host to the 2012 African Nations Cup.

Nwadike C. Cornelius