The Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) is waiting on Morocco's decision on whether the country will step in to host the 2019 African Games after equatorial Guinea's withdrawal, indicated Inside the Games in an article published Monday 16th of July. The West African country that was selected to host sports event in 2016 announced in November 2017 that it would no longer be able to organize the Games, citing economic problems. ANOCA officials visited Morocco earlier this month for a consultative meeting held between Morocco's Youth and Sports Minister Rachid Talbi and ANOCA's Vice-presidents Mustapha Barraf and Joao Costa Alegre. Morocco would announce in the coming weeks its official decision. ANOCA's Zone Vice President William Blick who is also head of the Association of African Sports Confederations (AASC) was also there. He told The New Times on June that «[they] are doing all [their] possible to ensure the games take place», adding that failing «to organize the event would be a credibility issue for Africa on global scene». Recent reports have suggested that Lusaka in Zambia may host the Games but there has been no official confirmation. Held on 12 occasions since their inaugural edition in Brazzaville in 1965, the African games are due to act as a qualifying event for several sports for the 2020 Olympic Games that will take place in Tokyo.
