Senegal have accepted a request from the Confederation of African Football (Caf) to host the 2015 African Under-23 Championship in December, replacing the Democratic Republic of Congo.

It follows a meeting on Friday between the Senegal president, Macky Sall (pictured) and the Caf president Issa Hayatou.

The tournament also serves as qualifiers for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

DR Congo withdrew as hosts to focus on the country's elections in 2016.

Caf confirmed that President Sall accepted the invitation to host the U-23s event,  which was originally scheduled to take place from 5-19 December 2015 in DR Congo.

President Sall has asked Senegal's Sports Minister, Matarr Ba, and the president of the Senegalese Football Federation, Augustin Senghor, to discuss details with Caf regarding the organisation of the 2015 championships.

Senegal, who are currently staging the Under-20s African championships, received high praise from Caf president Issa Hayatou  who described the nation as "a beacon of football."