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CAIRO. — Morocco yesterday was dropped as hosts of next year’s African Cup of Nations and the national side was flung out of the competition after the country said it wanted to postpone the tournament due to fears over the Ebola epidemic, the Confederation of African Football announced.

Morocco had said its call for a postponement was “dictated by health reasons of the most dangerous kind, linked to the serious risk of the spread of the deadly Ebola pandemic.”

A Caf statement issued at its Cairo headquarters said other countries had indicated a willingness to host the tournament and that it will “finalise the selection of the successful National Association shortly and confirm the place and date of the draw of the final tournament at the same time.” — AFP.