By Samuel Maxwell-Iyaye
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Tuesday in Dakar said Egypt would host the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Egypt, who will now be hosting the competition for the fifth time overall and were hosts in 2006, beat South Africa in a vote held at a CAF Executive Committee meeting.
South Africa who last hosted in 2013 were the only other nation to submit a bid, after original hosts Cameroon were stripped of hosting rights in November because of slow preparations.
Egypt now have just six months to prepare for the expanded 24-team finals, which kick off in June.
CAF has since offered Cameroon the chance to stage the 2021 edition.
This means that the original hosts for both the 2021 and 2023 finals have been asked to delay their tournaments.
CAF had initially planned to name the new hosts on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Cote D’Ivoire which was set to host the 2021 edition has protested against the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Guinea has already agreed to move its staging of the Nations Cup from 2023 to 2025. (NAN)