Many people are still searching for the real reasons Morocco declined to host the 2015
Africa Cup of Nations.
The kingdom’s decision to withdraw from the Africa Cup was brought into question when
they went ahead to hold the 2014 FIFA Club World Cup.
Despite health guarantees from the Confederation of African Football, Morocco stuck to
their guns and turned their back on the continent’s biggest football event.
The decision was saluted by locals,
who lauded their authorities for
placing safety of citizens over
football. In the North African region,
the general sentiment was that the
health of the people shouldn’t be put
at risk for the sake of sports
Morocco would never have
refused to host the tournament
if the Ebola crisis was taking
place in another North African
country. They feel it’s a black
There is no disregarding the dangers
of the deadly Ebola virus. The
disease had claimed close to 5000
lives by the time Morocco shelved its
plans to host the 2015 AFCON last
December.
man’s disease
Jonathan Heizani, Zambia
A number of countries had completely shut their borders with countries hit by Ebola,
notably Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. Some airlines refused to travel to the region
despite calls from the World Health Organisation to avoid stigmatization and isolation that
could dissuade potential health workers or Ebola fighters.
The outbreak was just another epidemic that needed to be confronted by concerted global
efforts. It wasn’t an African or West African challenge alone.
Morocco’s decision not to host the 2015 Afcon fuelled the fear and myths surrounding the
Ebola crisis.
Title of Ebook
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