Morocco sidestepped a late Saturday ultimatum from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to either confirm or reject its hosting timeframe of January 17 to February 8 for the Cup of Nations finals.

Instead, Morocco's Ministry of Sports reiterated Rabat's call for a postponement, saying its decision was "dictated by health reasons because of the serious threat of Ebola and the risk of its spreading."

It added that its call for a delay should be "perfectly acceptable."

CAF has accused Morocco of exaggerating the risk that an influx of foreign fans could spread the hemorrhagic virus which kills up to half of its victims.

CAF executive to meet in Cairo

CAF, the continental ruling body, had given Morocco until Saturday to give a firm response on whether it would host the event as scheduled.

The Moroccan government had already called on CAF to drop its insistence on January 2015 and push back the tournament back to June 2015 or January 2016.

CAF said earlier on Saturday its next move hinged on an executive committee meeting in Cairo on Tuesday. Morocco risks losing its hosting rights and incurring CAF sanctions.

As many as seven nations have reportedly been asked if they would stand in as emergency hosts. Algeria, Egypt, South Africa and Sudan have declined, according to the news agency AFP.

Qualifying group games have so far left two Ebola-affected nations, Guinea and Sierra Leone, at the bottom of the preliminary series with two rounds left.

Turbulent tournament history

West Africa's epidemic has killed almost 5,000 people in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.

Africa's showpiece tournament has had a turbulent history. In the past, several prospective hosts pulled out or were stripped of their hosting rights after being awarded the event. They include Kenya, Libya, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

ipj/jm (AFF, Reuters)