South Africa officially replace Libya as hosts of 2013 African Nations Cup

African Nations Cup trophy(1)

By David Gold

September 28 – South Africa will host the 2013 African Nations Cup, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed after an Executive Committee meeting in Cairo.

Libya was originally set to host the tournament, but the uprising and overthrow of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi meant that their staging of the competition was in doubt.

They have agreed with the South African Football Association (SAFA) to now hold the 2017 event, which the 2010 World Cup hosts were due to stage.

News of the agreement broke last month before CAF slapped down SAFA for prematurely announcing the swap, which the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) then sent to the continent’s governing body.

Relations have not always been smooth between CAF and SAFA, but a delegation from South Africa were in Cairo last weekend discussing the situation

The next edition of the tournament is due to be hosted this January in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

Contact the writer of this story at zib.l1734850037labto1734850037ofdlr1734850037owedi1734850037sni@d1734850037log.d1734850037ivad1734850037

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