2013 African Cup Of Nations: Vuvu-switch-a?

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6th of October City

The 2013 African Cup of Nations is reportedly going to be hosted by South Africa, who in turn are giving original hosts Libya their 2017 hosting rights in order to give the currently troubled North African nation a chance to recover and rebuild from their ongoing civil war.

With Libya hitting the headlines these past few weeks for their ongoing rebel-lead political revolution, it is probably not the best time to be told they have little over 16 months left to organise a prestigious 16-team international football tournament.

For that reason, Africa’s football confederation CAF have notified the issue and are trying to make an arrangement for another country to step in, and while Nigeria had for several years been earmarked as a replacement host (should there be (or have been) any problems with the organisation of the tournaments in 2010, 2012, or 2013), it seems as though a switch between nations that already have rights to swap is a unique and practical solution being applied.

An official South African Football Association statement on the matter read: “SAFA and the Football Federation of Libya have signed an agreement with regards the hosting of the 2013 and 2017 Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. Libya will host the 2017 AfCON [Nations Cup] which had been awarded to South Africa, while SAFA will take over the hosting of the 2013 AfCON tournament as well as the 2014 African Nations Championship [the tournament for locally-based players in national 'B' teams], which was supposed to be played in Libya. The agreement comes following the political upheaval in Libya but is subject to ratification by Caf at its next Executive Committee meeting.”

Nigeria’s Football Federation claimed that they were not pressing their pre-arranged case, with NFF spokesman Ademola Olajire adding: “The board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) wish South Africa all the best. The decision between both countries must be applauded and respected by all. We wish them all the best and will focus solemnly on qualifying for the 2012 African Cup of Nations.”

An official stance on the proposed switch, though, came from CAF’s Communications Director Suleiman Habuba, who said: “It is only the executive committee that has the mandate to give the hosting rights to a country.”

South Africa’s plan to use their hosting of an African Cup of Nations tournament (for the first time since 1996) as an opportunity to thank the confederation for their support in South Africa’s hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup remains intact (and likely to occur earlier than expected), with the stadiums set to be selected from the 10 used during last year’s showpiece international footballing event. While Libya hopefully recovers from its current troubles into a more welcoming regime ready for 2017, will South Africa put on a good show in its place on early 2013?

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