BREAKING: Egypt to host 2019 AFCON

AFCON Trophy

Egypt has been announced as the host of the 2019 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) after beating South Africa to earn the rights.

The two nations were the only countries to submit formal bids to host the competition.

The North African country beat South Africa by 16 votes to one at a Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) Executive Committee vote on Tuesday in Dakar, Senegal.

CAF, in November, had stripped Cameroon, the original host nation, of the right to host the event because of slow preparations.

Egypt is hosting the competition for the fifth time.

The country has just six months to prepare for the expanded 24-team finals.

The biannual football competition will take place from June 15 to July 13 across cities in Egypt.

Dakar will host CAF’s annual awards ceremony on Tuesday.

Egypt’s Mohamed Salah is tipped to retain his African Player of the Year award ahead of Gabon’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Liverpool teammate and Senegal’s Sadio Mane.