Under-23 African Championship-Morocco - African soccer's governing body, CAF, has confirmed Morocco as the host nation for its Under-23 African Championship, scheduled to take place from 26 November to 10 December, 2011, according to the media outlet of the organization.

CAF said 'Following the withdrawal of the Egyptian Football Association from hosting due to understandable circumstances, Morocco is hereby confirmed as the host nation, with the top three teams qualifying for the London 2012 Olympics soccer event and the fourth placed team taking on a side from Asia in a play–off.'

It said that the tournament would be hosted in Marrakech and Tangiers as main venues, with additional venues being Rabat and/or Fez, adding that the full updated calendar would be circulated to the media shortly.

Earlier, CAF reportedly offered Nigeria the hosting rights but the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) asked to be given till 20 October to decide on whether to host the eight-nation tournament or not.

The teams due to feature in the tournament are Nigeria, Senegal, Morocco and Algeria (Group B) and South Africa, Egypt, Cote d'Ivoire and Gabon in Group A.

Pana 14/10/2011