Algeria’s “Desert Warriors”, the biggest losers in case of cancellation of AFCON 2015

Since the inaugural edition of the Africa Cup of Nations in 1957, the tournament, the flagship of African football, has never been adjourned. But it looks like the next edition billed for Morocco from January 17 to February 8, 2015, may record the unenviable record of being the first to be postponed, no thanks to the dreaded Ebola virus disease now ravaging parts of the African continent.

Analysts suggest that Algeria’s valiant “Desert Warriors” will be the major losers in the event the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations football tournament is scrapped.

The Algerian national squad who have already qualified to the stage of the AFCON finals were tipped as clear favourites to snatch the much-coveted 2015 African trophy given their high standing in the latest FIFA rankings by being classified as among the twenty best national teams in the whole world.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has given Morocco November 8, 2014 deadline to clarify its position on hosting the Africa Cup of Nations next January.

Morocco has asked CAF to postpone the tournament due to the outbreak of Ebola virus in some parts of the continent.

But CAF has reiterated that the January 17 to February 8, 2015 date remains sacrosanct, and consequently asks Morocco to make known its position by November 8 so that CAF can take a final decision on the next host country when its Executive Committee meets November 11, 2014 in Cairo, Egypt.

CAF in a statement on its website on Monday, said, “the Executive Committee of CAF confirms its commitment to keep the competition on the dates indicated (January 17-February 8, 2015), while asking the Royal Moroccan Football Federation to clarify the final position of Morocco not later than 8 November, 2014.

“This time given also applies to all other CAF national associations wishing to organize the competition on the dates agreed as long as the hosting requirements are met.,” it said.

CAF allayed fears over the possibility of Ebola being transmitted in Morocco because the country has organized several tournaments recently and there has not been a known case of the virus being transmitted.

It said that since Morocco has successfully hosted matches involving Guinea (one of the affected countries), then there was no need to entertain any fear.

“Morocco welcomes in the coming weeks and a few days before the AFCON 2015, the FIFA Club World Cup where there will be participants from a country where a case of the Ebola virus has been identified (Spain).

“On the other hand, the number of foreign fans expected in the stadiums for the FIFA Club World 2014 is much higher than the ones expected for the AFCON 2015.

“Therefore, CAF considers that the current health system in place in Morocco, and whose effectiveness has been proven, is more than able to cope with the very limited flow of people for the AFCON 2015,”CAF said.

CAF also believes that postponing the event would negatively affect the international calendar of FIFA, which will have to ask for the release of players for the tournament.

It also noted that of the three countries affected by the virus, only Guinea stands a chance of qualifying for the tournament, noting that, since Guinea played its home games in Casablanca, and has adhered to a strict health protocol implemented by Morocco that has so far showed no flaws, therefore they should not entertain any fear.

Tournament organizer, the Confederation of African Football CAF approached South Africa, Ghana and other countries to be on standby if Morocco withdraws.

But it’s possible that no one else wants it because of the limited preparation time, and the threat of the deadly disease spreading through tens of thousands of travelers heading to the three-week, 16-team event.