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Egypt among 4 candidates to host 2017 African Nations Cup

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Gharib: Time to fulfill Egyptian ambition (1:19)

Egypt head coach Shawky Gharib says his team are ready to qualify for the 2015 African Cup of Nations ahead of their qualifier against Senegal. (1:19)

CAIRO -- The Confederation of African Football said Egypt is among four candidates to host the 2017 African Nations Cup.

CAF says Algeria, Gabon and Ghana are also being considered, while bids from Kenya, Sudan and Zimbabwe were ruled out for not meeting "set criteria."

The African football body is looking for a replacement host for Libya, which withdrew over security and organisational concerns. CAF will decide on the new host next year.

Egyptian sport has struggled since the overthrow of longtime president Hosni Mubarak in 2011 led to years of civil unrest. The country avoided staging football games during the most violent periods of turmoil.

Egypt's team is Africa's most successful with seven continental titles, but it hasn't qualified for the final tournament since 2010.