South Africa has won the right to host the African Youth Championship originally scheduled for Libya, the Confederation of African Football - Caf has confirmed.

The tournament for U-20 players was meant to begin on 18 March in Tripoli but was postponed because of the civil strife in that country.

Caf says the tournament will now take place from 17 April to 2 May as Ghana would defend the continental title won two years ago in Rwanda.

"We to decided to move the U20 finals to South Africa," Caf President Issa Hayatou said in a statement.

"The Executive Committee took that decision on Tuesday."

The decision means South Africa, who had not qualified for the tournament, will replace Libya in Group A.

Ghana, the defending champions have been paired in Group B with Nigeria, Cameroon and The Gambia.

Four teams in each group will meet in a round-robin format, with group winners and runners-up qualifying for the FIFA-organized U-20 World Cup in Colombia beginning in July.