CAF Confirms Egypt, South Africa Potential Nations Cup Hosts

Next year’s Africa Cup of Nations may be headed for either South Africa or Egypt after both lodged in a bid.

Confederation of African Football (CAF) has been on the hunt for a new host after stripping Cameroon of the hosting rights for failing to meet preparation requirements.

The continent’s football governing body cited poor infrastructure and unrest in the Central African nation’s north and south as the reason for blanking Paul Biya’s Cameroon.

Numerous potential affiliate countries have been linked with filling in the gap with Morocco one time considered an almost instant replacement.

The Democratic Republic of Congo were also reportedly discussed but both countries distanced from the events before Egypt entered the fray. Egypt’s application to stage the AFCON is a shift in position after they’d initially said they won’t be rivaling a North African nation in the wake of Morocco’s reported interest.

However, Morocco’s refusal has cleared the path for Egypt who must now ward off competition from 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa for the hosting rights of the globally watched African finals.

Winner of the bidding will be made public January 2019.