Egypt hosts 2006 Nations Cup

1986 was the last time Egypt hosted the tournament

The 2006 African Cup of Nations will be held in Egypt.

The decision was made by the executive committee of the Confederation of African Football (Caf) in Cairo.

Egypt polled seven out of the 11 votes cast, with Libya getting two and Algeria and Ivory Coast each having a single vote.

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A four-time winner of the Nations Cup, Egypt hosted the tournament in 1959, 1974 and 1986.

Two members of Caf's 13-man executive committee did not take part in Thursday's decision.

Senegal's Mawade Wade did not attend for medical reasons and Chad's Adoum Djibrine was excused as a result of prior commitments.

The 2006 tournament will double as Africa's qualifying series for the World Cup taking place in the same year.

The four semi-finalists at Egypt 2006 will automatically secure World Cup slots but Caf officials have not decided the basis on which the continent's fifth qualifying place will be decided.