TUT, unveiled as the official mascot for the June-July African Nations Cup, is an Egyptian 12-year-old boy who loves to play street football, the head of the agency that designed the character told Ahram Online.

Sporting the trademark Nemes Headdress, the striped headcloth worn by pharaohs in ancient Egypt, and wearing a red t-shirt featuring a drawing of the African continent, TUT was introduced to the media on Sunday.

"TUT isn't a professional player; he is an amateur who loves to play street football," Mortada, the chairman of AROMA Studios, said.

"Around 100 Egyptian artists worked on this project and we are happy to have received positive reviews.

"A video is now being prepared of the character and it will be shown before the tournament gets underway. It will present more aspects of the character," he added.

Egypt will host the Nations Cup, which has been expanded to 24 teams, from 21 June to 19 July.

The record seven-time African champions will play in Group A along with DR Congo, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

Egypt, who won their last Nations Cup title in 2010, reached the final of the 2017 edition only to lose 2-1 to Cameroon

The opening match, which will feature the Pharaohs, is scheduled to take place at the 74,100-seat Cairo Stadium.