African Cup Host Decision by Jan 9, Egypt Competes with SA

The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations host is set to be chosen on January 9 with  South Africa  and Egypt as frontline contenders for the position.

Cameroon was stripped of its position as host by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) due to delay in preparations and security concerns, leaving the spot vacant for the staging event in June 15 to July 13.

Accordingly, Egypt officially stepped in for the spot on December 13 and launched its promotional video to boost its bid on Monday.

The video highlighted Egypt’s readyness to host as well as its various stadiums such as the Port said, the Ismailia, Al Salam, Alexandria, Suez and Cairo stadiums.

The upcoming Africa Cup of Nations will be different this year around as it will be expanded to 24 times for the first time, instead of 16.

Egypt’s Pharaohs have claimed seven AFCON victories; the country hosted the event four times: in 1959, 1974, 1986 and lastly in 2006.

Egypt’s Borg El Arab Stadium is one of the top biggest football stadiums worldwide, with a seating capacity of 86,000.

In July 2018, Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, Minister of Youth and Sports, announced that the Ministry of Sports aims to organize the 2030 World Cup, as well as the 2032 Olympic Games, as part of the Ministry’s plan to upgrade the level of Egyptian sport in the coming period.