BATA: Equatorial Guinea "saved Africa's honour" by stepping in to host the Africa Cup of Nations at the last minute, organisers said on Friday.
The local organising committee also said the tournament in the oil-rich country -- which replaced Morocco in November following the latters' withdrawal over Ebola fears -- had been hitch-free so far despite late venue changes for two of this weekend's quarter-finals.
"We are proud that the Nations Cup was not staged outside Africa. It has been in Equatorial Guinea under the best conditions. We saved Africa's honour," said the head of the local organising committee, Francisco Pascual Obama Asue.
The tournament may have been held in Qatar had Equatorial Guinea not stepped in when they did.
"African football and youths are the winners and this is a source of pride to all of us and also the whole of Africa.
"We had only 50 days to prepare for this tournament, but we worked very hard, day and night.
"Yes, there have been some difficulties, but we have not recorded a major incident."
Asue, who is also his country's sports minister, did also disclose that he expects the cup hosts to spend more than what they budgeted for the tournament, although he would not divulge any figures.
Meanwhile, Confederation of African Football (CAF) director of communications, Junior Binyam, insisted the decision to move two quarter-final matches away from Mongomo and Ebebiyin was only taken after due consultation with all the parties involved.
Equatorial Guinea will now play Tunisia in Bata on Saturday instead of in the tiny Ebebiyin stadium, while Ghana's clash with Guinea, scheduled for Mongomo, will now go ahead in Malabo on Sunday.
Organisers cited concerns over the pitch for the change of venues.
Binyam also expressed his disappointment with media criticism of the drawing of lots to determine who between Guinea and Mali advanced to the last eight after they were tied at the end of the group phase.
"This is negativity against Africa because even FIFA have such a rule," he said.
CAF modified their rules last year to go straight to a drawing of lots rather than taking into account fair-play, as was used as a tie-breaker in 2013 in South Africa.
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