The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has suffered massive blow as reports indicate that Ivory Coast have withdrawn as host of the 24th edition of the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).The tournament is scheduled to run between 26 April 26 to 18 May this year, with the top four teams booking tickets to the World Cup.Sources indicate that the decision was made public by the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) Executive Secretary on Tuesday, leaving CAF with a difficult decision to make and in rush to find another host.It is, however, not clear why Ivory Coast withdrew from hosting the tournament considering the massive success the country enjoyed in staging the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals.##NAJAVA_MECA_8807979##The decision comes barely a day after CAF released the fixtures of the tournament, where Kenya was paired against Sierra Leone.Kenya will also take on defending champions Senegal and Zambia in Group C of the tournament, that will be made up of 13 countries.The Kenyan team, commonly known as Rising Stars, qualified for the tournament after finishing second in the CECAFA qualifiers held in October last year.FKF President on why he won’t reveal Benni McCarthy’s salaryRising Stars, under the tutelage of Salim Babu have been in camp since Thursday last week in Thika.The team is expected to camp again in Morocco, before travelling to Abidjan for the showpiece.The withdrawal of Ivory Coast as the host nation of the junior tournament poses first major test for the recently re-elected CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe.Harambee Stars goalkeeper highlights Benni McCarthy’s best attributeMotsepe and CAF will have to roll on their sleeves and find a new host, as the tournament is around the corner.
