Morocco to miss next two AFCONs

Morocco will be barred from the next two Africa Cup of Nations as punishment for refusing to host the 2015 edition over fears of the spread of the deadly Ebola virus.

According to Issa Hayatou, CAF president, the North African country will also pay a fine of US$20 million.

Morocco had called for the tournament to be postponed, but organisers CAF rejected their request, stripping them of their position as hosts and barring them from playing in the tournament.

Oil-rich Equatorial Guinea, which co-hosted the 2012 edition with Gabon, were named as Morocco’s replacement as host on Friday.

Meanwhile, South Africa, Tunisia, Algeria, and Cape Verde Islands – the former Spanish colony in West Africa – have qualified for the championship.

Bafana Bafana 2-1 win over Sudan was the team’s first game since the killing of captain Senzo Meyiwa.

South African players wore black armbands and there was a minute’s silence before the game for goalkeeper Meyiwa, who was killed in a township near Johannesburg last month.

The Sudanese team even held up a picture of the Meyiwa before kickoff at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban as their own tribute.

Goals from Thulani Serero and Tokelo Rantie either side of half-time sealed qualification for the home side.

Salah Ibrahim pulled a late goal back for Sudan in front of about 30,000 fans in Durban.

The game was moved to the east coast city, Meyiwa’s hometown, in honour of the late goalkeeper.

Meyiwa had led South Africa through four games unbeaten AFCON qualifiers and had not conceded a goal in the competition before his death.

Cameroon and Zambia also secured their places in the finals, bringing the number of qualified teams to six alongside host Equatorial Guinea.

Nigeria beat Congo 2-0 in Pointe Noire while Ghana lost 1-0 in Uganda and Mali fell 2-0 in Malawi to keep them waiting until the final round of qualifying games next week.