Sisi updated on ongoing preparations for 2019 Africa Cup of Nations championship

CAIRO, May 19 (MENA) - President Abdel Fattah El Sisi was briefed on Sunday on the ongoing preparations for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) championship which Egypt will host in June, Presidential Spokesman Bassam Radi said.

Egypt has been granted the hosting rights of the 2019 African Cup of Nations after winning a majority of votes in a January meeting of the executive committee of the CAF.

Egypt obtained 16 out of 18 votes, with only one vote going to sole rival South Africa, while the remaining voting country abstained.

The 2019 AFCON is scheduled to take place from June 15 to July 13, having been moved from January/February to avoid club-versus-country clashes.

Egypt has already hosted four editions of the cup: in 1959, 1974, 1986 and 2006.

The Pharaohs have won the prestigious competition seven times.