Egypt is to replace Cameroon as the host of this year’s African Cup of Nations soccer tournament, giving newly crowned continental player of the year Mohamed Salah a chance to shine on his home stage.
The Liverpool forward won the African Footballer of the Year award for a second successive year, making Tuesday a double victory for Egypt.
Both decisions were made in Dakar. Egypt was trusted with the Cup in a vote of the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) executive committee at a morning meeting. Later, at an evening ceremony, Africa’s national team coaches voted Salah Africa’s best once again ahead of Liverpool teammate Sadio Mane of Senegal.
Photo: EPA-EFE
Salah is to undoubtedly be the face of the Cup in June and July, but Egypt’s organizers face a tough task to get ready with kickoff only five months away.
Deepening the challenge for the stand-in host country, this is to be the first African championship to be increased from 16 to 24 teams.
The tournament also arrives in Egypt at a time of political unease after years of turmoil following a revolution and the overthrow of former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak in 2011. Egypt’s streets have since been marred by deadly violence that has sometimes spilled over onto the pitch.
In 2012, more than 70 fans were killed in a riot at a game in Port Said, one of world soccer’s worst riots. Port Said has been put forward by organizers as a venue.
Still, African soccer leaders decided that Egypt was the best choice, with doubts over whether the competing bid from South Africa had any government approval or financial backing.
Also, CAF is based in Cairo, giving the Egyptian bid a logistical advantage.
Cameroon was stripped of hosting rights late last year because of poor preparations and its own political problems.
It was the fourth straight Cup to be switched from its initial host country, with CAF also having to find new venues for its top tournament and money-earner in 2013, 2015 and 2017.
Egypt and South Africa were the only two countries to submit bids to replace Cameroon in a new, rushed hosting process. Egypt won overwhelmingly by 16 votes to one with one abstention.
Egypt are seven-time Cup champions, but their soccer slumped dramatically in the wake of the political turmoil following the ouster of Mubarak.
After winning three titles in a row in 2006, 2008 and 2010, Egypt failed to even qualify in 2012, 2013 and 2015. They returned in 2017 and with Salah in their ranks made a surprising run to the final before losing to Cameroon.
It is unclear how the tournament is to be greeted in Egypt.
Egyptians are fiercely loyal followers of their national team, but fans have long been associated with fierce protests against the political leadership.
In 2015, 22 fans were killed in a stampede that was sparked when police fired tear gas at fans at a military-owned stadium in Cairo.
Hundreds of fans have been arrested in recent years as they took part in anti-government protests, including one in 2013 that torched the headquarters of the Egyptian Football Association and vandalized a police social club.
At the height of the political crisis, fans were banned from attending any games in Egypt as the government recognized the threat they posed when they gathered in numbers. That ban has generally been lifted.
In an attempt to show his country is now safe and stable, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi supported the Cup bid.
“The political leadership offered its full support” to host the Cup, Egyptian Minister of Youth and Sports Ashraf Sobhi said on Tuesday in a statement.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and