With just a day to the kickoff of the 2019 AFCON finals in Egypt, here are some facts about Cairo International Stadium – the pitch that will host the opening game between Egypt and Zimbabwe on Friday and the final on July 1.
It will also host all Group A games where the Uganda Cranes will be tussling it out with hosts Egypt, DR Congo, and Zimbabwe.
The stadium is located in Nasr City in the capital, Cairo. It was opened in 1960 and is the historic home ground for giant Egyptian clubs Al-Ahly and Zamalek.
It is the largest stadium in Cairo with an all-seated capacity of 75,000 regularly used by the national team during international engagements.
Egypt has hosted three AFCON finals in the coveted stadium winning the title on two occasions in 1986 and 2006.
Before becoming an all-seater stadium, Cairo International Stadium had the ability to hold a record 120,000 spectators. It is the fourth biggest stadium in Africa behind FNB Stadium in Johannesburg (South Africa), Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria (Egypt) and Stade des Martyrs in Kishasa (DR Congo) and is ranked 69th in the world.
Other stadiums that will host the 2019 AFCON games
Alexandria Stadium – Group B: Nigeria, Guinea, Madagascar and Burundi
Air Defense Stadium – Group C: Senegal, Algeria, Kenya and Tanzania
Al Salam Stadium – Group D: Morocco, Ivory Coast, South Africa, Namibia
Suez Stadium – Group E: Tunisia, Mali, Mauritania, Angola
Ismailia Stadium – Group F: Cameroon, Ghana, Benin, Guinea-Bissau