AFCON Ceremony was better than World Cup opening: Fadl

CAIRO, 23 June 2019:Mohamed Fadl, director of the 2019 African Nations Cup Egypt 2019, said that who attended the opening of the World Cup in Russia last summer, assured that the opening ceremony in Cairo Stadium on Friday was better.

“Friday's ceremony was very amazing, ambitious audience proves their success,” Fadl said to Filgoal website.

"This is what we have seen since the draw of the 2019 AFCON, we are on the right track, and today the Egyptian people wake up with a positive and proud pride in their country," he said.

"Now is the time to enjoy football, we enjoyed the draw and the opening ceremony and now it's time to enjoy football," he concluded.

With fireworks, pharaonic costumes and joyful song by Egyptian folk singer Hakim, Nigerian Femi kuti and Côte d'IvoirenDobetgnahore, the 2019 African Nations Championship (AFCON) kicked off at Cairo International Stadium on Friday.

The ceremony witnessed breathtaking show that lasted for 17 minutes unlike opening ceremonies of other championships, which normally last between 12 and 15 minutes.

Attended the ceremony, the Swiss president of Confederation of the International Football Association "FIFA" Gianni Infantino, 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.