The CAF Executive Committee has decided on Thursday to increase the number of national sides participating in the Africa Cup of Nations to 24 teams - up from 16 - starting 2019, while the tournament will still be staged every two years. Among a number of decisions, the executive committee has decided that the Africa Cup of Nations – which has usually been held in the winter months of January and February – will now take place in June and July exclusively on African soil. There will be no change, however, to the competition's status as a biennial tournament, taking place in odd years. As to inter-club competitions, 'it was agreed by the Committee to maintain the current format, but to proceed in the future to a change in timing for interclub competitions which are expected to start from August to May.' Regarding the U-23 Cup of Nations, the CAF confirmed Zambia's decision to 'formally withdraw from the hosting of the 2019 edition' as the African football governing body 'called for the opening of bids for the selection of a new host country.' Egypt had submitted a request to host the 2019 U-23 Cup of Nations, which qualifies for the Tokyo Olympics, on the sidelines of a symposium in Rabat a day earlier. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
