Egyptians cautiously optimistic over hosting Africa Nations Cup finals

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Egyptian soccer fans cautiously welcomed the Confederation of African Soccer decision to have Egypt as the host nation to the 2019 African Nations Cup finals.

The North African nation will host the competition for the fourth time, and the first since 2006, after the announcement was made by CAF president Ahmad Ahmad at a media briefing in Dakar, the Senegalese capital.

They will stage the expanded 24-team event in June-July after initial hosts Cameroon were stripped of the tournament last month over concerns at the slow pace of preparations.

However, in recent years attendances at local matches have been restricted because of security concerns following the ‘Arab Spring’ in 2011.

Although mostly happy, Egyptian fans still expressed anxiety over safety and security.

Soccer fans across the nation showed a predominantly positive response although wary of Egypt’s ability to prepare after years of instability.