Football-Africa - The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced that Morocco will be the hosts of the Under 23 African Championship, which will serve as Olympic qualifiers.

The African Championship is scheduled to take place from 26 November to 10 December 2011. The main venues will be Marrakech and Tangiers, while Rabat and/or Fes will be the additional venues.

The announcement follows the Egyptian Football Association's recent withdrawal from hosting the tournament next month.

South Africa has been drawn in Group A with Egypt, Gabon and Ivory Coast, while Group B will consist of tournament hosts, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal and Algeria.

The three teams that top the CAF tournament will qualify for the Olympic Games which will be held in London from 25 July - 9 August 2012. The fourth team will battle it out against an Asian opposition for a place in the Olympic Games next year.

South African Football Association/14/10/2011