Rabat (Morocco), Nov 9 (IANS) Morocco once again asked the African Football Confederation (CAF) to postpone the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations to be held in the North African country January because of Ebola epidemic.

A statement of the Moroccan sports ministry Saturday, however, didn’t answer an ultimatum from the CAF, questioning them whether they would still host the tournament from Jan 17 to Feb 8, reports Xinhua.

The statement said “this decision was dictated by serious health risks linked to the epidemic of Ebola” and called for a postponement from 2015 to 2016.

CAF rejected an earlier plea Monday to postpone the dates of the 2005 African Nations Cup.

Moroccan authorities have to confirm whether they will go ahead with hosting next year’s African Nations Cup till the end of this week, CAF’s boss Issa Hayatou said during a meeting Monday with Moroccan Premier Abdelilah Benkirane and members of the local football confederation.