Egypt wins rights to host AFCON 2019

North African country Egypt on Tuesday won the rights to host the African Nations Cup finals for 2019.

The development was announced on Tuesday afternoon during the CAF executive meeting, a function held in Dakar, Senegal.

Egypt got 16 votes to beat South Africa who got only one vote to host the finals whose hosting rights were last year taken away from Cameroon.

Egypt, who have won the Afcon trophy for a record seven times, will host the tournament for the third time in their history and the last time being in 2006.

Egypt will become the first country to host the expanded 24-team 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals set to be played in June, away from the usual January period.

Cameroon, who were the original hosts were late last year dropped by the continent football governing body due to delays in preparations and concerns over security.

Cameroon are the Afcon defending champions after winning the previous tournament held in Gabon in 2017 when they beat Egypt on finals.