Egypt Makes Official bid to Host AFCON 2017, Set to Rival Ghana

Egypt has submitted a bid to CAF to host the 2017 Nations Cup, the African governing body said on Tuesday. "The Confederation Africaine de Football received applications from seven Member Associations for the hosting rights of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations," CAF said in a statement. "The seven in alphabetical order are: Algeria, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Sudan and Zimbabwe." Libya was due to host the tournament but withdrew due to the turmoil gripping the country. Libya has endured weeks of chaos as the government struggles to control former rebel factions that helped topple former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The North African country was initially scheduled to host the Nations Cup in 2013 but because of the civil war swapped with original 2017 hosts South Africa. Last time Egypt hosted the African Cup of Nations in 2006. They won the title that year. "The host country will be decided by the CAF Executive Committee during one of its sessions in 2015," CAF added. "The circular emphasized that due to the limited time frame for the organization of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, the CAF Executive Committee will focus on the host with acceptable infrastructure and facilities required (Stadia, Training grounds, Accommodation, Communications etc.) in making a decision." The Pharaohs are the record winners of the Nations Cup with seven titles under their belt, winning in 1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008 and 2010. They have been defeated twice in their current bid to return to the 2015 tournament in Morocco after two absences, losing 2-0 away against Senegal and 1-0 at home against Tunisia in Group G of the qualifiers. Egypt also hosted the biennial tournament in 1974 and 1986.