Ghana to host African Nations Cup 2008

Ghana will host the African Cup of Nations 2008 final tournament. Ghana received 9 votes while Libya received 3 after the first round of voting by the executive committee of the African football governing body.

CAF President Issa Hayatou named the successful host nation at a media conference held at the CAF main auditorium here in Cairo. Prior to the press conference, CAF President Hayatou said; "Like in other election there must be a winner and a loser, that is democracy, each party must be accept the verdict in spirit of fair play."

The CAN 2008 will take place in four different venues, which are Accra, Kumasi, Sekondi and Tamale. Ghana hosted CAN in 1963, 1978 and co-hosted with Nigeria in 2002. Ghana's bid message is "sharing passions !"

Last June, CAF Inspection Team visited the bidding nations to assess their various infrastructures namely stadia, hotels, medical and media facilities. Afterwards, a report was submitted to CAF executive committee. In May 2004, South Africa withdrew their candidature to host the event.

Reacting after the announcement of the result, Ghana Bid Committee chairman Dr Kofi Amoah said: "I feel excited, I feel we have worked very hard to win this bid, the 2008 tournament will be for the whole of African continent."
During the Ghana 30-minute bid presentation, President Kuffour of Ghana said in a video message: "We are a soccer crazy nation."
For further information:
Communication Division
++202 8371000 ext 104
CAF Media Hotline: ++20 10 6047019