The Confederation of Africa football (CAF) has stripped Ethiopia the hosting rights of 2020 Chan tournament.
The Executive board member of CAF took the decision after the country did not meet the required standards set up by Africa’s football governing body.
The Ethiopia Football Federation (EFF) admitted it doubts it will be ready to host the 2020 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN).
The EFF president Esayas Jira said preparations are behind schedule.
“The stadiums are not ready and next year being a (parliamentary) election year also makes it tricky for us to host this event,” Jira told BBC Sport.
“I’m worried as President of the EFF because although we are still willing to host, I doubt we can be ready.”
Jira was voted into office last June after Caf had awarded the hosting rights to Ethiopia for the tournament that is only open to locally-based players.
He added that a Caf inspection team visited Ethiopia over a month ago but are yet to release their findings.
A new host is expected to be announced soon by CAF.
Meanwhile, Uganda will play against South Sudan in the first round of the qualifiers, will play the first leg between July 26th, and 28th and the second leg to be played between August 2nd, and 4th in Kampala.
The aggregate victor over the two legs will have to face the winner between Rwanda and Somalia in the second round of the qualifiers to book a place in the Chan 2020 group stages.
Uganda Cranes are seeking for their fourth straight appearance at the 16-team tournament.
Unlike the African Cup of Nations, the competing national teams must be composed of only players playing in their domestic league. That is, a Ugandan player is only eligible to play for the Uganda Cranes if he is playing for a Ugandan club.
