Egypt Takes The Heat

African football’s most successful nation steps in to host an expanded tournament.

A return to Egypt, home of the continent’s controlling body (CAF) and the country that has carved out the most success in African football, comes amid much change for the showpiece Africa Cup of Nations.

The ancient land, where the finals play to the backdrop of the pyramids, sphinx and desert ruins, is holding the tournament for a record fifth time, having stepped in as emergency hosts with just six months to prepare after Cameroon was deemed not ready late last year.

Egypt’s ample infrastructure is perfectly suited to handling the expanded 24-team tournament – a risky decision CAF took not long after their longstanding president Issa Hayatou was deposed and Ahmad of Madagascar emerged as the surprise new leader. That decision means Burundi, Madagascar and Mauritania all get to make their finals debuts, while Kenya return for the first time since 2004 and their neighbours Tanzania compete for the first time since a solitary previous appearance in 1980.

There will be 10 past winners in the field, including holders Cameroon – despite a court bid to turf them out over their inability to host the event.

CAF could have banned the Indomitable Lions but, in a disingenuous interpretation of the rules, Cameroon will now host the next edition, in 2021.