Morocco pulls out of hosting Nations Cup - South Africa on stand by.

African Cup of Nations hosts for 2015, Morocco, have pulled out of hosting the continental tournament, citing the Ebola pandemic as their reasons not to host the biennial international association football competition.

Reports coming through are that either North African neighbours, Egypt or 2013 hosts, South Africa could step in as alternative hosts for the African football spectacle.

As reported earlier, Morocco submitted a request to CAF to postpone next year's edition of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in order to stop the spread of Ebola; however CAF have responded by declaring that the tournament should go on as scheduled. "This demand is motivated essentially by the last report from the World Health Organisation, which contained alarming numbers at the extent and spread of the virus," said Morocco sports minister Mohammed Ouzzine on Punch Online Extra.

Ouzzine was further quoted as saying he was not surprised at CAF's initial rejection of their Ebola-motivated request.

"We understand CAF's difficulty, but that said, never in history has there been such an Ebola epidemic," he further told the site.

According to Ouzzine, the large numbers of supporters the AFCON generates would be too large for the North Africans to employ strict checking and controlling measures.

"We are speaking of a large number of supporters (at the Nations Cup), 100,000, 200,000, 300,000 or even more."

"We are not equipped for that and I can't see other countries being able to ensure checks and controls for such a large number either," declared Ouzzine. Rabat Minister of Health, El Ouardi also expressed confidence in CAF to make the correct decision and respond positively to Morocco's request to postpone the 2015 edition of African Cup of Nations initially scheduled to be held in Morocco from January 17 to February 8.

"I think the African Football Confederation has no deliberate intent to harm African nations and venture into maintaining the CAN 2015 as originally planned," said El Ouardi during a press conference, according to a report in the Morocco World News website.