The 2015 Africa Cup of Nations ended successfully in Equatorial Guinea
with Ivory Coast claiming gold after a hard-fought final against Ghana which
was eventually decided by a penalty shootout of 9 over 8 kicks.
The organisation of the tournament itself was another exploit for the
Confederation of African Football (Caf), its partners and host nation
Equatorial Guinea due to the short time of two months needed to relocate
the event from original host country Morocco after it backed down due to the
Ebola crisis.
Money, time and fear of the
Ebola virus were the factors
Caf endeavoured to clear
with any nation willing to step
us as host of the showpiece.
For weeks, president Issa
Hayatou and his emissaries
travelled round the continent
in search of a host country
amid intensifying media buzz
on the deadly Ebola.
Algeria, South Africa, Angola,
Cameroon, Ghana and
Nigeria all turned their back
on Caf. Time was not on the
body’s side.
Only two possibilities seemed available – moving the competition to Qatar, which had
accepted to host it or simply cancelling it.
Hayatou held his ground, decided against any postponement or abandonment or moving
the Afcon outside the continent. The search continued until an agreement was reached
between Caf and Equatorial Guinea.
The oil-rich central African nation announced it could contain the Ebola threat and
imported 50 doctors from Colombia to assist local health worker during the 21-day
event.
Although, only two of the four host stadiums (Malabo, Bata, Mongomo and Ebebiyin)
had the required Fifa standard, the management of the turfs and complementary
facilities made it possible for the tournament to run smoothly with minimum technical
and mechanical difficulties.
1