Paris (AFP) – The African Football Confederation (CAF) on Wednesday denied “persistent rumours” that next year’s Africa Cup of Nations will be moved from Gabon.

Gabon is scheduled to host the event from January 14 to February 5, although the country is mired in political crisis.

In a statement the CAF said its president Issa Hayatou had stressed many times that “there has never been any question of finding a substitute host nation”.

The host cities are Libreville, Franceville, Port-Gentil and Oyem for what will be a test of Gabon’s ability to stage a major event as President Ali Bongo confronts major unrest sparked by his August re-election.