Nigeria Set to Officially Bid to Co Host 2025 Africa Cup of Nations With Neighbouring Country

• Nigeria is considering co-hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, according to the president of the Nigeria Football Federation
• Guinea has been scheduled to host the tournament that year, but the political crisis in the country could see her lose the hosting rights
• Nigeria’s Amaju Pinnick has stated that he has officially notified CAF that Nigeria is interested in co-hosting the tournament with the Benin Republic

The president of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, has suggested that the country will possibly bid to co-host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

It is almost 13 years since the country last hosted any major football tournament, and Pinnick says he notified the Confederation of African Football of Nigeria’s desire to host the tournament.

The NFF boss made this known at the 50th anniversary of the famous Teslim Balogun Stadium as he claimed that Nigeria has already thrown her heart into the ring as CAF compiles a list of other countries also interested.

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West African neighbours Cameroon hosted the last edition, and Ivory Coast is scheduled to host the next edition slated for January 2024.

Although Guinea has been listed to host the 2025 edition, there are strong indications that the political instability in the country could force CAF to move the tournament elsewhere.

Pinnick said, as per Thisday:

“Yes, I have indicated to CAF early today (Tuesday) during our emergency zoom meeting that Nigeria will be able to stage the tournament.

“We don’t know for now other countries that have submitted bids.”

Just like it happened in 2000 when Nigeria staged the event alongside Ghana, the NFF president said that the bid will be a joint hosting with the Republic of Benin.

CAF postpones AFCON 2023

Meanwhile, CAF has postponed the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast to January and February 2024.

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The tournament was initially slated for June and July 2023, but CAF had to move it to 2024 due to the weather conditions around that time in Ivory Coast.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe confirmed the switch in times in a press conference on Sunday, July 3, 2022.

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Sports Brief earlier reported that the recipients of the 2022 CAF Awards were announced on Thursday, July 21, as Sadio Mane scooped the coveted men's African Player of the Year award at the ceremony hosted in Rabat, Morocco.

Senegal star Mane picked up the prestigious prize, beating his former teammate at Liverpool, Mohamed Salah, and Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy.

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