Johannesburg--Senegal have replaced the Democratic Republic of Congo as hosts of the CAF under-23 championship -- the elimination competition for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
The eight-nation tournament is scheduled for December with the top three finishers representing Africa at the men's football tournament in Brazil.
DR Congo withdrew to concentrate on staging elections next year.
Originally drawn to play Zimbabwe, Swaziland or South Africa in the third round of the preliminaries, Senegal now qualify automatically for the CAF finals as hosts.
An African Football Confederation (CAF) statement said Senegal agreed to replace DR Congo after talks between President Macky Sall and CAF boss Issa Hayatou.
Hayatou is in Dakar for the CAF youth championship and has praised its organisation, describing Senegal as a "beacon of football".
Gabon were shock winners of the maiden CAF under-23 championship in Morocco four years ago.
AFP
