EGYPT will replace Cameroon as the host of this year’s African Cup of Nations soccer tournament, giving newly-crowned continental player of the year Mohamed Salah a chance to shine on his home stage.

The Liverpool forward won the African player of the year award for a second successive year, making Tuesday a double victory for Egypt.

Both decisions were made in Dakar, Senegal. Egypt was trusted with the Cup of Nations in a vote of the Confederation of African Football’s executive committee at a morning meeting. Later, at an evening ceremony, Africa’s national team coaches voted Salah Africa’s best once again ahead of Liverpool teammate Sadio Mane of Senegal.

Salah will undoubtedly be the face of Egypt’s African Cup in June and July, but Egypt’s organizers face a tough task to get ready with kickoff only five months away. Deepening the challenge for the stand-in host country, this will be the first African championship to be increased from 16 to 24 teams.

The tournament also arrives in Egypt at a time of political unease after years of turmoil following a revolution and the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak in 2011. Egypt’s streets have been marred by deadly violence in the years since and it has sometimes spilled over onto the soccer field.

In 2012, more than 70 fans were killed in a riot at a game in the northern city of Port Said, one of world soccer’s worst riots. (SD-Agencies)