By Daniel Etchells

CAF President Issa Hayatou announced the Africa Cup of Nations hosts for 2019 2021 and 2023 following a meeting of the governing body's Executive Committee meeting ©CAFThe Confederation of African Football (CAF) today named Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Guinea as the hosts of the Africa Cup of Nations for 2019, 2021 and 2023 respectively.


In a vote of the governing body's Executive Committee, held in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa, Cameroon and Ivory Coast were chosen from a pool of five countries bidding for the 2019 and 2021 editions, while the announcement of Ebola-hit Guinea as 2023 hosts was unexpected. 

The country is currently banned from hosting any international football by CAF because of the outbreak of the deadly virus, which started in Guinea and has so far killed nearly 3,000 across West Africa.

Guinea, along with the other countries worst affected by Ebola, Liberia and Sierra Leone, are currently banned from hosting any international football matches.

The suspension was confirmed today by the same CAF Executive Committee that awarded Guinea the 2023 tournament.

Algeria and Zambia missed out in the bidding process, however, the former may be asked to take over from Libya, who stepped down as 2017 hosts last month due to the on-going civil strife in the North African country.

The deadline for bids is September 30 and a decision is expected to be made in the coming months.

Kenya, Ethiopia, Ghana, Mali and Zimbabwe are also reportedly interested.

The announcement of Guinea as 2023 hosts came as a surprise ©CAFThe announcement of Guinea as 2023 hosts came as a surprise ©CAF



Cameroon's selection is a symbolic move as the tournament in 2019 is likely to coincide with the departure from office of Issa Hayatou, CAF's long-standing President, who is from the Central African country.

Their bid centred around four venues in Bafoussam, Douala, Garoua and Yaounde while the Ivorians plan to use five cities - Abidjan, Bouake, Korhogo, San Pedro and the capital Yamoussoukro.

Guinea's bid promised to use Conakry, Kankan, Labe and Nzerekore as venues.

The next Nations Cup finals is due to be held in Morocco next year from January 17 to February 8.

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