The continent’s football-governing body, CAF on Monday named Egypt as host nation for the CAF African U-23 Tournament that will determine Africa’s flag-bearers at next year’s Summer Olympic Games in London.

But in a five-paragraph letter dispatched to the President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, and signed by its Secretary General, Hicham El Amrani, CAF duly apologized to Nigeria for the decision and gave reasons why it considered Egypt’s candidature.

The letter read:

“On behalf of President Hayatou, we acknowledge receipt of your fax dated 6th July 2011, in which you presented your candidature to host the CAF African U-23 tournament that will determine Africa’s representatives at the 2012 London Olympics Men’s football tournament.

“We would like to thank you very much for your strong interest but CAF regrets to inform you that we decided to accept the candidature of Egypt that had presented a complete file for this event few months back, subject to the qualification of its team for this final phase.

“CAF had indeed engaged since last March advanced discussions with the Egyptian FA and the Egyptian government to organize this tournament. In conssideration of the actual situation in Egypt and after having received all required guarantees, the Egyptian government showed strong will to organize this event in order to highlight to Africa and the World that the situation in Egypt has greatly improved.

“Due to this engagement and need, CAF decided to give a chance to Egypt, while reiterating our engagement to stay by your side for future opportunities. We are delighted as well to witness your firm will to take Nigerian and African football to new heights, both on the sporting and organizational aspects.

“While wishing a lot of success to your team during this event, please accept, dear President, our most sincere regards”.

It would be recalled that the NFF had presented a strong case for Nigeria to host the Eight-Nation Tournament, immediately the U-23 National Team, Dream Team, qualified to take part. The team defeated Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania to make the last eight.

CAF also announced on Monday that the eight-nation tournament will now start on November 26.