Libya surrendered its right to host the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday, blaming the decision on the worsening security situation in the country. The African Football Confederation (CAF) said it will now sound out potential replacement host nations after meeting the Libyans at their Cairo headquarters. "Libya will no longer host the Africa Cup of Nations in 2017," said a CAF statement.
"A Libyan delegation led by the country's Minister of Youth and Sports and included the president of the Libyan Football Federation revealed in a meeting with CAF President Issa Hayatou that owing to the unstable security situation in the country, Libya would not be able to host the Afcon in 2017. "Consequently, the Secretary General of CAF, Hicham El Amrani, dispatched a circular on 23rd August, 2014 to all 54 member associations informing them of the decision and opening bids for the hosting of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations." CAF set a deadline of September 30 for applicants with the designation of the new host country to be made at a meeting of the Executive Committee in 2015.