Ivory Coast declines co-hosting 2021 Africa Cup of Nations

The President of Ivory Coast Alassane Ouattara, says his country will not need to co-host the expanded Africa cup of Nations finals in 2021.

He said the country has the capability to host 24 teams rather than 16 stipulated in its original bid.

“Ivory Coast has the infrastructure and in any case we are going to continue between now and 2021 to build the necessary infrastructure to host the finals.”

Ivory Coast was originally given the rights to host a 16-team event but in July the Confederation of African Football decided to increase the number of teams from 16 to 24.

The tournament moved from its traditional dates of January and February to later in the year in the months of June and July.

The Chairman of the Caf’s Nations Cup organising committee Amaju Pinnick told BBC Sport last week that their decision to increase the teams at the continent’s biennial event is to try to encourage countries in a particular region to co-host future Afcon finals.

UCJ, UNILORIN.