00:00Less than two weeks before the Women's Africa Cup of Nations is due to get underway,
00:05there are still doubts over Morocco's willingness to host it.
00:09The uncertainties prompted the Confederation of African Football
00:13to pledge that the matter is receiving urgent attention
00:16and will be clarified in the coming days.
00:19Due to start on the 17th of March,
00:21Morocco has reportedly warned it may struggle to meet timelines
00:24amid heavy scheduling and stadium renovation projects.
00:28CAF President Patrice Motsepe has, however, ruled out changing the dates,
00:33saying the tournament doubles as a qualifying event
00:35for the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil.
00:39The uncertainty is leaving qualifying teams in an unprecedented logistical vacuum.
00:44South Africa said it is ready to step in and host the tournament,
00:48with its sports minister on Wednesday blasting Morocco
00:51for leaving its status in doubt, with just 13 days to go.
00:55In a surprise move in November last year,
00:57the continental football body expanded the women's tournament to include 16 teams.
01:03Nigeria is the defending champion after coming back to beat Morocco 3-2 in the final last year.
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