Ethiopia have officially been stripped of the 2020 Championship of African Nations (Chan) hosting rights.
The Confederation of Africa Football (Caf) has gone ahead to announce Cameroon as new hosts.
Earlier this week, president of the Ethiopia Football Federation (EFF) admitted doubts that the country will be ready to host next year’s edition of the tournament strictly open to home-based players.
Esayas Jira was quoted by BBC as saying: “the stadiums are not ready and next year being a (parliamentary) election year also makes it tricky for us to host this event. I’m worried as President of the EFF because although we are still willing to host, I doubt we can be ready.”
On Thursday, the Caf Executive Committee reviewed last month’s inspection report on the East African nation’s readiness and concluded a new host be named.
Beginning April 19, a total of 47 Caf member national teams will begin the chase of 15 available slots to join new hosts Cameroon for next year’s Chan competition.
Ghana, who will be seeking a return to the competition after missing the last two editions, are scheduled to face West African neighbours Burkina Faso in a two-legged tie in the final qualifying round. The Local Black Stars host the first leg on September 20 before heading to Ouagadougou for the decisive return fixture on October 18. The aggregate winner of this tie automatically takes up one of three slots available to Wafu Zone B for Cameroon 2020.
