Egypt prepares to host African Cup

Egypt has officially launched preparations to host Africa's biggest soccer tournament, the 2019 African Cup of Nations, scheduled to run from June 15 to July 13.

It replaced Cameroon as the host for the 2019 edition five months to the kick-off of the biennial event. Cameroon was stripped of hosting rights due to poor preparations and political instability.

Egypt is now faced with a difficult task of hosting the championship on short notice. Furthermore, this will be the first championship expanded from 16 to 24 teams.

The government has called it an indication of confidence in the country and economy. Besides presenting opportunities to stimulate economic growth and development, the tournament is expected to raise the country's global profile.

Mostafa Ibrahim, an economist based in Cairo, said the event will undoubtedly boost tourism. The expanded participation will translate to increased hotel occupancy. Occupancy jumped from 21 percent in the first quarter of 2017 to 60 percent in 2018 over the same period, according to STR Inc, a US research company.

The North African country has hosted a number of global investment forums recently. Backed by the government, the forums are aimed at reassuring foreign investors of ongoing economic reforms while positioning the country as an ideal investment destination on the continent.

Ibrahim said the moves have paid off and the tournament will clearly generate new jobs in the private sector. "With more than half a million football enthusiasts expected to flood Egypt, new investment opportunities will emerge," Ibrahim said.

The country has previously hosted the event four times and thus has the human capacity. "I think that is what has worked to our advantage," said the economist.

However, organizing and hosting an event of this scale is an expensive undertaking. Ibrahim opined that the same advantages that buoyed Egypt's chances of clinching hosting rights also present significant challenges.

"Despite having better infrastructure and logistics, construction costs will be high," he said.

Eight stadiums, including the 74,000-seat Cairo International stadium, have been picked as venues for the tournament.

Egypt and South Africa were the only two countries to submit bids to replace Cameroon. This was the fourth straight time the AFCON was switched from its initial country.

In 2017, the tournament was scheduled to be hosted by Libya but the Confederation of African Football rescinded its hosting rights due to political and social instability.