Morocco have ruled out joining the bidding process to host the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, the country's sports minister has announced.
Moroccan Minister of Youth and Sports Rachid Talbi Alami revealed on Wednesday that they are not interested in taking over from Cameroon as hosts of Africa's flagship football competition.
Caf is looking for new hosts after its executive committee voted unanimously to strip Cameroon of hosting rights two weeks ago.
Morocco were heavily speculated to be readying themselves to put in their bid as well as South Africa and Egypt who were also under consideration as replacement hosts.
Egypt declined the chance by ruling itself out of the bidding process to host the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, saying it "will not compete with another Arabic country."
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| Rachid Talbi Alami |
Morocco last hosted the competition in 1988 while Egypt last hosted an Africa Cup of Nations in 2006 when the Pharaohs won the trophy.
The decision to strip Cameroon of 2019 hosting rights has an impact on the next few editions of the African Cup of Nations.
Caf said it would "initiate an open and urgent call for new host country bids to ensure Afcon 2019 takes place next summer" and would "ensure that a new host is in place by 31st December 2018."
