Football
Associated Press 10y

Ethiopia to bid for 2017 African Cup

#INSERT type:image caption:Ethiopia will bid to host the 2017 African Cup of Nations after Libya pulled out citing security concerns. END#

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia -- The president of the national football federation says Ethiopia will bid to host the 2017 African Cup of Nations after Libya pulled out citing security concerns.

Ethiopia football federation president Junedin Basha said there is government backing for the bid. He says "we are both willing and able to host the games."

Ethiopia is a founding member of the Confederation of African Football and hosted early versions of the Cup of Nations in 1962, 1968 and 1976. The country struggled to keep up, though, and didn't qualify for Africa's top tournament for over 30 years before returning in South Africa last year.

Libya withdrew as 2017 host last week because of ongoing violence there, leaving CAF with little time to find a replacement. Ghana and Kenya have also shown interest in bidding.

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