News Brief
Rufaro Samanga
Jan. 08, 2019 08:29AM EST

Egypt Has Been Named the Host Country For The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations

Egypt has beaten South Africa and won the bid to host the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

Cameroon was stripped of its rights to host the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) because to delays and security concerns due to continuous violence occurring in the vicinity of the two planned venues. In light of that, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) just announced that Egypt will be the host of the 2019 AFCON. Egypt has won the bid over South Africa which was the only other country to formally bid.

The AFCON is an eagerly-anticipated football tournament that is hosted by alternating Africa countries. According to Kickoff, the tournament has now increased from including football teams from 16 African countries to 24. It has been 13 years since Egypt last hosted the tournament, and they have been the most successful African football team with an impressive seven titles. This will be their fourth time hosting the tournament.

The tournament dates have been changed to off-season play and will run from the 15th of June to the 13th of July.

CAF has however granted rights for the 2021 AFCON to Cameroon in the hopes that the country will have completed its preparations by that time and that the current political unrest would have abated.

The buzz has already caught onto social media followers following the announcement.





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Photo by Eric Lafforgue/Art in All of Us/Corbis via Getty Images.

Kenyan Rastafarians Want Cannabis Unbanned for Religious Reasons

The Rastafari Society of Kenya argues that the personal use of cannabis, which is currently outlawed in the country, is an integral part of their religion.

According to local media reports, the Rastafari Society of Kenya has gone before the High Court to argue in favour of the personal use of cannabis. Currently illegal in Kenya, the minority religious group argues that the laws criminalising the use of cannabis in Kenya are prejudiced towards their religion given that the substance is a "sacrament connecting believers to their creator." Cannabis is commonly used as incense to initiate religious practises by Rastafarians and is often followed by a series of praises and prayers.

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AKA's Music Career Faces A Crisis Amidst Investigations Around Anele Tembe's Death

South African rapper AKA announced a cessation of all activities with Cruz Vodka. This, following the abuse allegations that have emerged during the investigations of his fiancée Anele Tembe's death.

South African rapper AKA, real name Kiernan Forbes, is reportedly in the process of brand evaluation. This, after the rapper publicly announced a temporary break regarding promotions with the New York-based vodka company, Cruz Vodka. The statement coincides with the ongoing investigations surrounding Anele Tembe's death, and a widely circulated video showing AKA allegedly attempting to break down a door to enter his fiancé's room.

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Nigeria's DJ Spinall Adds 6lack On The New 'Sere' Remix

American artist 6lack joins Nigerian Afropop singer Fireboy DML in bringing additional magic to DJ Spinall's remix of the single 'Sere'.

Nigeria's DJ Spinall has officially dropped the remix for his latest massive hit single "Sere'', off his fifth studio album Grace. The "Sere" remix comes packed with power, especially, with the addition of American rapper 6lack to the banger that originally, only, featured Fireboy DML. The remix follows the music video release for the original "Sere" single, which has amassed millions of views thus far. The remix is a bonus Afopop track worth the listen.

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South Africa's Latest Xenophobic Attacks Target Somali Nationals

The latest xenophobic attacks in South Africa have already left 13 Somali nationals dead in Khayelitsha this past Saturday.