Morocco declined to host the tournament as earlier scheduled due to fears over the Ebola pandemic that broke out in some of the West African countries some weeks ago, and because to this has been banned from participating in the 2015 African Cup of Nations. Morocco had requested that the Confederation of African Football postpone the competition from the original scheduled period of January-February 2015 due to worries that the Ebola virus may be transferred to the region by fans and players of West Africa. CAF rejected the request after its officials met and decided instead to hold the tournament on the scheduled dates in another African country. CAF afterwards released a statement which reads: "Following the refusal of the Moroccan party, the executive committee decides that the national team of Morocco is automatically disqualified and will not take part in the 30th edition of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations in 2015." CAF has not yet releaved the countries currently vying to replace Morocco.