AFCON 2017: "There was never a question of finding a country to substitute Gabon" (I. Hayatou, CAF)

"The Confederation of African Football wishes to recall that, as reiterated on many occasions during various interviews of its president, Issa Hayatou, that there was never a question of finding a substitute country to host the Total AFCON 2017 in Gabon," stated the CAF on 23/11/2016.

"Persistent rumors circulating in recent days on social networks, now relayed by mass media, report the relocation of the Total African Cup of Nations, Gabon 2017. The competition will indeed take place in Gabon, from 14/01 to 02/05/2017, in the cities of Libreville, Franceville, and Port-Gentil Oyem," added the African Confederation.

"The preparation of the tournament continues serenely in collaboration between the teams from AFCON and those from the Local Organising Committee. AFCON regrets that unfounded rumours are conveyed in defiance of the basic rules that guide all journalistic processes," concluded the African body in a statement on 23/11/2016.

AFCON 2017 was initially scheduled in Libya

• Gabon was appointed host of the…