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GHANA are one step closer to getting the right to host the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations after Egypt withdrew on Monday. The Black Star nation is increasing diplomatic efforts at continental level to make sure the next tournament is hosted in their backyard.

“We received the news that Egypt has withdrawn with gladness, of course. Although the rumours that they will back Algeria means we’ve to work harder,” a Sports Ministry source in Ghana tells supersport.com.

Egyptian authorities announced their decision to support Algeria largely because of security concerns in their own countries, analysts say.

“We’ve decided to withdraw our application and will support that of Algeria,” the Egyptian youth and sports minister Khaled Abdel-Aziz announced Monday.

The decision came two weeks following the death of 20 Zamalek supporters after police used teargas to disperse crowds attempting to enter Cairo’s Air Defence stadium ahead of a Premier League match with ENPPI.

Indeed, the Egyptian top flight has been start-stop ever since the deadly Port Said disaster of 2012 and once again, the league has been suspended indefinitely as the nation looks to discuss the next steps at a later date.

Egypt’s security apparatus has decided to focus on military action it is waging with militant group Islamic State, for now, after 20 Egyptian Christians were beheaded by the militants.

The Afcon 2017 hosting decision will be made on April 8 and it sees Gabon, as the other strong favorite in contention. — BBC Sport