African Under-23 football Championship - Egypt has withdrawn as host of the inaugural African Under-23 football Championship due to security concerns in the north African nation, sports officials here said.

The tournament, at which the three teams to represent Africa at next year's London Olympics will be selected, had been scheduled to be held in Egypt 26 Nov-10 Dec. 2011.

However, the Egypt Football Association, EFA, said the tournament would coincide with the country's parliamentary elections, which in themselves will require massive security.

Security concerns in Egypt have also heightened in view of this week's sectarian violence that left at least 25 dead. 

African soccer's governing body, CAF, has yet to announce a new host.

Egypt, Gabon, South Africa and Cote d’ Ivoire are in group A of the competition, while Nigeria, Morocco, Algeria and Senegal are in group B.

Pana 12/10/2011