AFCON opening ceremony details revealed

CAIRO - 21 June 2019: When the clock turns to 10:00 pm Cairo time, the eyes of millions of Egyptian, Arab and African fans and other people around the globe turn to the Cairo International Stadium where the opening match between Egypt and Zimbabwe in the African Nations Championship 2019 (AFCON) will take place.


Egyptian employees and security complete their work on the field of the Cairo International Stadium, ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations opening in Cairo, Egypt June 19, 2019. Picture taken June 19, 2019. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh


The Stadium will be called "Cairo Arena" and hosts all Egyptian national team’s matches against their rivals of DR Congo, Uganda, and Zimbabwe in Group A in the AFCON that will be launched on Friday until July 19.


Soccer Football - Egypt Training - Military Academy Stadium, Egypt - June 19, 2019 - Egypt's players take part in a trainig in preperation for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations opening soccer match against Zimbabwe in Cairo. REUTERS / Mohamed Abd El Ghany

This evening, which people of the African continent awaits, starts at 8:00 pm in the presence of President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt.


Soccer Football - Zimbabwe Training - El Sakka El Hadeed Stadium, Egypt - June 19, 2019 - The official African Cup of Nations football during Zimbabwe's training in Cairo. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany


The guests of the opening ceremony are headed by the Swiss president, Gianni Infantino, of Confederation of the International Football Association "FIFA" and partner of the event Ahmad Ahmad, President of the CAF, as well as Dr. Mostafa Madbouli, Prime Minister and Chairman of the Higher Committee of the Championship and Dr. Ashraf Subhi, Minister of Youth.

Famed Egyptian folk singer Hakim will be one of the stars singing in the opening ceremony. The star uploaded a video on his official Instagram commenting: “Wait for me on Friday in the opening ceremony of the AFCON. We will make an astounding opening celebration; the whole world will be speaking about it.”



The opening ceremony would last 17 minutes unlike opening ceremonies of other championships, which normally last between 12 and 15 minutes.