S. Africa replace Libya as 2013 Nations Cup hosts

JOHANNESBURG  (AFP) – South Africa will replace conflict-hit Libya as hosts of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, the organisers said in a statement on Tuesday.
Libya, where fighting continues between pro and anti-Moamer Kadhafi forces for control of several cites, take over the 2017 tournament from original hosts South Africa.
A surprisingly early announcement of the swap, which was not expected before Wednesday, means South Africa will stand in for Libya a second time having held the African youth championship last April.
The decision brought relief to South African officials, who angered the Confederation of African Football (CAF) this month by making public details of the swap agreement before the continental body had discussed it.
Algeria and Nigeria were other contenders for the 2013 Cup of Nations with the West Africans claiming they should be awarded the event having been chosen as stand-by hosts five years ago in case Libya withdrew.
The swap deal was agreed after the first half of a two-day CAF executive committee meeting chaired by president Issa Hayatou from Cameroon at its headquarters in a Cairo suburb.

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