Hayatou backs Algeria to host African Cup of Nations 2019

Issa Hayatou says '6 or 7' countries want to host 2019 CAN Algiers – Khaled Alloush Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Issa Hayatou has tipped Algeria to host the 2019 African Cup of Nations (CAN) and believes the country "would do an excellent job." The North African state is yet to submit an official bid, but President of the Algerian Football Federation (AFA) Mohamed Raouraoua has said that stadia currently being built in Algiers, Sétif, Tizi Ouzou and Oran will form a key part of Algeria's 2019 CAN dossier.
Speaking in the Algerian province of Oran, Hayatou claimed "six or seven" African countries had put themselves forward for the honour, and added: "Algeria has the infrastructure to organise major competitions."
The CAF chief refused to give the candidates' names or the date on which the hosts will be announced, but said: "CAF will appoint the most deserving country."
Oran province, along with Aïn Témouchent, will host the 2013 African U20 Championship between March 16 and 30. Hayatou said he was satisfied with the preparations undertaken by Algeria and funds allocated towards making the competition a success.
Zambia and DR Congo are expected to be Algeria's toughest rivals in the bid to host the 2019 CAN.
The bidding process will officially open in the autumn.
The team will continue to operate in al-Faw district until most of the bodies have been identified, Hassan said.
"Unidentified remains will be sent to the forensic medicine centre in Baghdad for DNA testing," he added.
Basra’s Human Rights Ministry previously made an announcement that the remains of 38 Iraqi soldiers killed during the bloody eight-year conflict had been returned to authorities in February 2011.
Five of that number were then handed over to family members.
The first body exchange took place at Shalamja, 590 kilometres south of Baghdad, in 1996, over 15 years after the first outbreak of the war.
Twenty-five similar operations have already taken place, five of them during the US occupation of Iraq beginning in 2003.
It is believed thousands of bodies still litter the border lands between Iran and Iraq, after the eight-year war which left over a million Iraqis and Iranians dead.