ACCRA, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has maintained Ghana as host of the 2018 Africa Women's Cup of Nations, a statement issued from the continental soccer body said on Saturday.
The decision was taken at the body's executive committee meeting in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.
Reports in the local media recently suggested that the CAF has stripped Ghana of the hosting rights for the continent's flagship women soccer tournament due to its failure to put stadiums in mint condition ahead of the tournament.
The China-built stadium in Cape Coast as well as the one in the national capital Accra was selected to host the two-week tournament but renovation works at the grounds had stalled, raising concerns about the West African country's ability to host the event.
CAF said its secretariat will closely monitor the progress of Ghana's preparations.
The latest decision will come as a relief to Ghana's Local Organizing Committee which has reiterated its preparedness to host the competition scheduled to take place from Nov. 17 to Dec. 1, 2018.
Meanwhile, Ghana on Friday night unveiled the official mascot for the Women's AFCON.
The mascot, named 'Agrohemaa' (Games Queen), is an eagle adorned with the national colors of the country which is expected to arouse the interest and enthusiasm of Ghanaians before the final competition.
The 2018 Africa Women's Championship will also serve as qualifier to the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France, with the top three booking a place to represent the continent.
Ghana, noted for its feat in the female football cycles, will for the first time be hosting the competition since it started in 1998.
Qualified teams for the tournament are Ghana, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Mali, Algeria, Zambia, South Africa and Cameroon.
