Morocco, South Africa named African Cup of Nations hosts

Morocco and South Africa have been awarded the hosting rights to the 2015 and 2017 African Cup of Nations football tournaments.

The Confederation of African Football’s executive committee met in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Saturday to announce the hosting rights to the countries at either end of the continent.

Morocco and South Africa were the sole remaining bids to secure the rights for the respective tournaments after DR Congo withdrew their bid.

South African Football Association president Kirsten Nematandani said despite missing out on the rights to host in four years’ time, the Bafana Bafana can now use the extra two years to prepare themselves for a shot at the illustrious title.

“We are not disappointed at all (at missing out on 2015 hosting rights), it gives us more time to prepare our national team for the event. This time we also want to win it on home soil,” Nematandani said.

The 2012 Cup finals will be hosted by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, before the 2013 event will see the best footballers in Africa travel to Libya.