Accra, Nov 18 (IANS): Ghana was named among four nations shortlisted to host the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2017.

Of the seven countries which submitted bids to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Genera Secretariat till September 30, only Ghana, Egypt, Gabon and Algeria were determined to be considered to host the event, reports Xinhua.

"The Executive Committee will finalise a date on which to take the vote to determine the host country," CAF posted on its website Monday after an executive meeting last week.

The hosts of the tournament will be announced early in 2015.

Libya was billed to host the competition but later withdrew due to the unstable security situation in the North African country.

Ghana has appointed an 11-member committee to work towards securing the right to host the competition.

Ghana's Youth and Sports Minister is confident the west African nation will win the bid to host the AFCON.

"We are very confident that, in spite of Algeria and others showing interest, Ghana stands tall above all the other countries that are bidding to host this AFCON 2017," Ayariga said recently.

If successful, the west African country will be hosting Africa's biggest football tournament for the second time in nine years.

Ghana hosted the 2008 tournament and took third position after beating Ivory Coast.

Equatorial Guinea will host the AFCON 2015.