The North African country, which is bidding to stage the 2026 World Cup, was chosen over Equatorial Guinea at an emergency meeting of the CAF Executive Committee in Lagos.

Ethiopia had also expressed an interest after Kenya were stripped of the competition but failed to secure the necessary Government support to mount a bid.

Agadir's Stade Adrar, Tangier's Stade Ibn Batouta, Casablanca's Stade Mohammed V and the Marrakesh Stadium are due to be the venues used for the African Nations Championship.

Kenya lost the hosting rights for the tournament, scheduled to run from January 12 to February 4, due to concerns over infrastructure.

A CAF inspection team, led by FIFA Council member and vice-president Constant Omari, had recommended the country be stripped of the event after reporting only one venue was ready.

There was also concern about the political situation in Kenya, where recently annulled Presidential elections are set to be rerun on October 26. 

Following the Executive Committee's decision to move the tournament elsewhere, the CAF initiated a quick bidding process.

The continental body gave nations interested in stepping in to stage the tournament until September 30 to enter the race and said they would then name a new host by yesterday.

Morocco had irked Kenyan officials when they publicly announced their willingness to host the African Nations Championship amid initial concerns over Kenya's readiness.

The country is up against a joint bid from the United States, Canada and Mexico in the race for the 2026 World Cup.

The North American effort is the strong favourite to land the hosting rights for the competition, which will feature 48 teams for the first time.

The African Nations Championship only features players on the books of club sides from the continent.