World Bulletin / News Desk 

Gabon has been named as the host of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced Wednesday.

The West African nation beat Ghana and Algeria to clinch hosting rights for the 31st edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, the CAF said in a statement.

CAF President Issa Hayatou made the announcement on the sidelines of the pan-African football body's general assembly in Cairo.

Gabon won the most votes from the CAF's executive committee after delegations from the three countries presented their bids, Hayatou said.

Gabon co-hosted the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, along with neighbor Equatorial Guinea.

Equatorial Guinea hosted this year's edition after Morocco – which had won the hosting rights – announced that it would not be able to host the event due to fears of the Ebola virus.