Egypt to host 2019 Africa Cup of Nations

This picture shows the trophy prior to the draw of the Confederation of African Football's (CAF) Confederation cup at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Cairo on December 28, 2018. (AFP)

DAKAR: The Confederation of African Football has chosen Egypt over South Africa to replace Cameroon as host of this year's African Cup of Nations soccer tournament.
Cameroon was stripped of hosting duties late last year because of poor preparations and violent clashes between separatists and government forces in western parts of the country.
Egypt and South Africa were the only two countries to submit bids to replace Cameroon.
CAF awarded the tournament to Egypt, which last hosted the African championship in 2006, after its executive committee met in Dakar on Tuesday.
This year's African Cup is in June and July, giving Egypt only five months to get ready, and is also the first to be increased from 16 to 24 teams.
The Egypt team is a record seven-time African Cup of Nations champion.