Ivory Coast will go on to host Sierra Leone in their 2015 Africa Cup of Nations opener at the weekend.
This comes after the Ivorian government made a late change in decision after their initial rule stated they could not hold the game following the outbreak of the Ebola disease in Sierra Leone.
Ivory Coast have been concerned that viral disease would be imported by visitors. But they made a change.
“Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia remain the only countries required to relocate their fixtures to neutral territories as a result of the situation of the Ebola virus.” CAF indicated on their website.
Prior, the government in Abidjan had ruled that it would not be hosting any international sporting events but has lately allowed a Confederation Cup match and African Under-20 Championship qualifier to be played.
And it has now made another exception for the Nations Cup qualifier. And to keep the virus risks low, Sierra Leone have named a squad of players based outside the country and given assurances that the coaching staff would be screened before traveling.
2015 AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS QUALIFIERS
WEEKEND FIXTURES
GROUP A
05/09/14: Sudan v South Africa
06/09/14: Nigeria v Congo
GROUP B
06/09/14: Ethiopia v Algeria
06/09/14: Mali v Malawi
GROUP C
06/09/14: Gabon v Angola
06/09/14: Burkina Faso v Lesotho
GROUP D
06/09/14: DR Congo v Cameroon (1530)
06/09/14: Ivory Coast v Sierra Leone (1800)
GROUP E
06/09/14: Ghana v Uganda
05/09/14: Guinea v Togo (To be played in Casablanca, Morocco because of fears over Ebola)
GROUP F
06/09/14: Zambia v Mozambique
06/09/14: Niger v Cape Verde
GROUP G
05/09/14: Senegal v Egypt
06/09/14: Tunisia v Botswana
AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS
PAST WINNERS
2013: Nigeria
2012: Zambia
2010: Egypt
2008: Egypt
2006: Egypt
2004: Tunisia
2002: Cameroon
2000: Cameroon
1998: Egypt
1996: South Africa
1994: Nigeria