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On the economic level, the record of CAN 2019 is very mixed, not to say negative for Egypt. REUTERS / Sumaya Hisham

Egypt was the host country for the African Cup of Nations edition 2019. Its organization was indeed withdrawn in Cameroon a few months ago. The Pharaohs were excluded early enough from the competition. but beyond the sporting performance, what assessment does Egypt derive from the organization of this CAN?

From our correspondent ,

Politically, the Egyptian government considers the balance sheet of the CAN very positive. The thanks of the President of the African Football Confederation (CAF) and his compliments to President Sissi are seen as an acknowledgment of the effectiveness of Egyptian rule. What reinforce the aura of Abdel Fattah al Sissi when he holds the presidency of the African Union.

Cairo hopes that this success will at the international level counterbalance criticism of human rights. Internally, the Egyptian media repeatedly repeat that the successful organization of the CAN in record time is proof that the power can quickly raise the standard of living of the Egyptians.

The premature elimination of Egypt did not help fill the stadiums

On the economic level, the record is very mixed, not to say negative. The organizers have thought of the lawn of the land by importing English experts but have forgotten the derivatives. No official figures of the mascot of the Can, the little Pharaoh Tut, no jerseys of the stars of the tournament, no stamped balloons and other trinkets sold in the stadiums and shops of the country.

To give an order of magnitude, the products derived from the World Cup in Moscow had brought nearly 100 million euros to the organizers. In addition, the premature elimination of the Pharaohs who filled the 75,000-seat Cairo stadium meant that the ticketing infrastructure cost more than it brought back.

Towards a revival of tourism in Egypt

Experts expect substantial growth in tourism. The CAN has shown that Egypt has efficient reception and transport infrastructures and above all that the country was safe. No acts of violence came to disrupt the smooth running of the competition.

Something to forget the terrorist acts and disorders that Egypt has known since the 2011 uprising against former President Mubarak. For experts, Egypt could, in 2020, break the record it set in 2010 with 15 million tourists. This industry is the locomotive of job creation in Egypt.