U20 AFCON: Cote D'Ivoire Pulls Out of Hosting The Competition
Cote D'Ivoire has surprisingly withdrawn from hosting the U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) just weeks before the tournament kicks off.
The competition, originally scheduled to run from April 26 to May 18, now faces chaos as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) scrambles for a replacement venue.
The shock decision, reportedly made by the Ivorian government, was confirmed by the country's football federation (FIF).
In a statement, FIF President Yacine Idriss Diallo said:
'Yacine Idriss Diallo, President of the Ivorian Football Federation and Chairman of the U20 Organising Committee, informs you that the government has notified the Ivorian Football Federation, via an official letter, of Ivory Coast's withdrawal as the host country for the U20 AFCON.'
CAF now has less than one month to find a replacement.
'In accordance with the instructions of the President of the Federation, the Executive Director relayed this information to the Secretary General of the CAF on Tuesday, March 25.'
Despite the turmoil, the federation attempted to downplay the impact, thanking those who had been involved in the preparations.
'The President would like to extend his deep appreciation to everyone for their commitment and the efforts made towards organising this competition. He also reassures all stakeholders that CAF will provide further updates on how this situation will be handled.'
Speculation is rife over the real reasons behind the move. Whatever the case, CAF now faces a race against time to find a new host before the tournament kicks off.
Morocco's U20 team faces a tough challenge in the U20 AFCON after being drawn into the group of death alongside African football heavyweights.
The Atlas Cubs will play in Group B alongside Nigeria, Egypt, and South Africa. This is one of the toughest groups in the competition, with two nations that have won the title many times. Tags: Cote d'IvoireU20 AFCONU20 Morocco
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