Sports minister Ashraf Sobhi vowed on Sunday that Egypt will host a successful African Cup of Nations in the summer, saying everything was in place to make it a success.
Egypt was granted the hosting rights of the Nations Cup at the expense of South Africa after winning a majority of votes at a CAF executive committee meeting earlier this month.
In December, Cameroon was stripped of the hosting due to serious delays in its preparations for the expanded 24-team tournament.
“Hosting a big event like the Nations Cup needs around two years of preparations, but we are ready for any challenge,” Sobhi told a news conference on Sunday.
“I promise that the country will organise a tournament that is up to the standards of the state. Our target is to organise an exceptional event.”
Sobhi also said that a “high committee” would be formed to remove any obstacles facing the Nations Cup organisers. The prime minister will preside over the committee, he added.