Egypt is ready to bid for the 2017 African Cup of Nations after the tournament was stripped from Libya for security reasons, Sports Minister Khaled Abdel-Aziz announced on Monday.
Ongoing fighting in Libya caused delays to the building of new stadiums for the 16-team tournament.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) invited new bidders for the tournament in August.
“The government has agreed we can bid for the 2017 African Cup of Nations,” Abdel-Aziz told a radio programme on Monday.
“We are waiting for the Egyptian Football Association who will prepare a file to be sent to the Confederation of African Football about our bid to host the tournament,” he added.
Countries wishing to host the tournament have until 30 September to deliver their expressions of interest, the CAF added.
Last time Egypt hosted the African Cup of Nations in 2006. They won the title that year.
