The decision was announced at a media conference after a one-day meeting headed by Caf’s president Ahmad.

Caf announced that the decision to move the tournament was made “in light of accumulated delays from reports of the various inspection missions conducted in the country.”

The 16-team tournament for locally-based players only, is scheduled to take place between 12 January and 4 February 2018.

A Caf inspection team visited Kenya from 11 to 17 September 2017 and found that only one of the four venues was ready to stage the event.

Some Caf officials in Accra also expressed concern about the political situation in Kenya, where recently annulled presidential elections are set to be re-run next month.

It is the second time Kenya has lost the right to stage an African football competition after being replaced by South Africa as 1996 Africa Cup of Nations hosts.

Kenya would have been the second successive east African country to stage the CHAN after Rwanda in 2016.

There has been media speculation that Morocco or South Africa may replace Kenya, though Caf say a bidding process for new hosts will be opened immediately.

In other Caf decisions on Saturday, they announced that for now, Cameroon remain as hosts of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, though the organising committee must organise for an audit firm to carry out an inspection mission of the country’s infrastructure.

Caf also announced that Egypt have replaced Zambia as hosts of the 2019 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations, which doubles as qualification for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

Zambia withdrew as hosts of the eight-nation competition on financial grounds.

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Source: BBC

The post Kenya stripped of hosting rights for CHAN 2018 appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Elsewhere on Sunday, Namibia overturned a first-leg deficit against Comoros to progress.

On a weekend of shocks, the holders Democratic Republic of Congo were eliminated on the away goals-ruling by neighbours Congo Brazzaville, as Mali, Algeria, Egypt and South Africa also suffered exits.

Ghana, who drew the first leg 2-2, failed to make the most of home advantage in Kumasi, suffering defeat to Burkina Faso in front of their own fans.

The hosts were rocked by Burkinabe goals from Mohammed Sylla and Herman Nikiema inside 30 minutes at the Baba Yaro Stadium.

Felix Addo pulled one goal back for Ghana just before the hour, but could not find the second goal they desperately needed to force a penalty shootout.

Burkina Faso qualified 4-3 on aggregate and will join 15 other countries at the biennial tournament, which Kenya will host from January 12 to February 4.

Also on Sunday, Namibia secured a place for the first time after a second-half brace from Muna Katupose earned a 2-0 victory over Comoros in Windhoek.

The substitute struck after 54 and 80 minutes as the Namibians overturned a 2-1 first leg loss.

2018 hosts Kenya and Equatorial Guinea, who qualified after Gabon withdrew, will also be making maiden Nations Championship finals appearances.

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Source: BBC

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