CAF Announce 2019 AFCON Hosts

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) have confirmed Egypt as hosts of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The announcement was made on Tuesday after Egypt submitted their bid alongside South Africa to host the continental showpiece since Cameroon were stripped of the hosting rights last year.

Although the hosting nation was scheduled to be made public on Wednesday, January 9, the announcement was brought forward.

CAF stripped Cameroon of the hosting rights due to the country’s inability to prepare for an expanded tournament and insecurity in one of the host cities.

South Africa Football Association (SAFA) lost the bid to Egypt after it did not get the backing of the South African government – one of the major considerations of CAF.

Egypt, being the most successful team in the history of the competition with seven titles, host the tournament for the fifth time.

The Egyptian FA now have less than six months to prepare for the expanded 24-team finals which is scheduled for kick-off in June.