This archive report was first published on 4 July 2019.
Published on July 4, 2019, the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt has been marked by disappointing attendance figures, except when the host nation is playing.
Pharaohs fans pack sports bars in Cairo, but matches involving other nations often see empty seats or disinterested patrons. Will the knock-out stage bring in more fans? Only time will tell.
Kenya's Victor Wanyama is a fan favorite in Egypt, thanks to his impressive play in the English Premier League and his club, Tottenham Hotspur. At press conferences and mixed zones, journalists scramble to interview him, and he's a sought-after figure for selfies.
Kenyan media covering the tournament, including Citizen's Bernard Ndong, Isaac Swila, and Mike Kariuki, even pulled off a James Bond-style move when they chased after a boat on the River Nile to join a lunch and cruise hosted by Sports CS Amina Mohammed and Kenya's Ambassador to Egypt, Joff Otieno.
One interesting observation in Cairo's night life is the serious activity at construction sites, where work often starts late in the evening and continues throughout the night, despite the sweltering heat.
