Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has followed up on the latest preparations for hosting the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2019, less than a month from when the African tournament kicks off in June.

According to the Egyptian Presidency, El-Sisi followed up on Egyptian efforts related to organising the tournament.

The 2019 AFCON is scheduled to take place from 21 June to 19 July, having been moved from January/February to avoid club-versus-country clashes.

Egypt was granted hosting rights of the 2019 AFCON after winning a majority of votes in a January meeting of the executive committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Egypt obtained 16 out of 18 votes, with only one vote going to sole rival South Africa, while the remaining voting country abstained.

Last December, Cameroon was stripped of the right to host the 2019 African Cup of Nations. Following the decision, CAF opened a new bidding process. Egypt and South Africa were the only two countries to submit their candidacy to become 2019 host.

Egypt has already hosted four editions of the cup: in 1959, 1974, 1986 and 2006.

The Pharaohs have won the prestigious competition seven times.


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