Afcon host Nation to be known in five days

Thegoalmac can reveal that an undisclosed Asian country has been turned down as potential Africa Cup of Nations hosts in favour of a nation near Ghana, a Confederation of African Football (Caf) executive committee member has revealed.

According to Alhaji MND Jawula, the Issa Hayatou-led body has declined the offer, despite finding it difficult to find a suitable host of the tournament following Morocco's withdrawal.

The north African country pulled out of hosting next year's finals due to the deadly Ebola outbreak and have proposed a postponement, but Caf said they will go ahead with the scheduled date of January 17 to February 8.

Jawula, a former Ghana FA boss, said hosting the competition on another continent would not be appropriate but assured that a new host will be announced shortly.

"Now the choice is between African countries and, surprisingly, an Asian country is interested to host the competition on our behalf, but you know Caf is not very much in tune with that, that will not be very good for our [Africa's] image," he told state-owned network Radio Ghana.

He added: "I can tell you that within the next five days an announcement will be made to indicate the country, and it's not too far from Ghana, just two hours' drive from Ghana, that will host the competition."