The Confederation of African Football (Caf) has changed the kick off date of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) slated for Egypt.
The 32nd edition of the continental show-piece was initially scheduled for June 14th to July 13th, but has now been moved to June 21st with the final to be played on July 19th.
The decision was made on January 26, 2019 at Cairo, Egypt, when the Emergency Committee of the Confédération Africaine de Football held a meeting chaired by CAF President Mr. Ahmad Ahmad.
It has been pushed by a week to cater for the holy month of Ramadan. The decision was taken following requests from the Maghreb countries of Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria who want their players to have time to rest after the end of period.
Ramadan will this year be observed from the start of May until the beginning of June.
The group stage draw will take place the Friday 12th April 2019 on an historic place facing the Sphinx and the Pyramids.
The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations will for the first time this year take place in June/July and feature 24 teams rather than sixteen.
Fourteen nations already booked their slot; Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, Madagascar, Tunisia, Senegal, Morocco, Nigeria, Mali, Guinea, Algeria, Mauritania, Ivory Coast and hosts Egypt.
The other ten places will be decided during the final qualifiers in March.