AFCON: CAF President, Patrice Motsepe Speaks on Nigeria’s Possibility of Hosting the FIFA World Cup

• The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations wraps up with Nigeria facing off against Ivory Coast
• The Super Eagles have put in one of the best showing of any team at the showpiece
• President of CAF has spoken on the possibility of Nigeria hosting the FIFA World Cup

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has indeed been a spectacle of footballing brilliance.

From the participating teams battling it out on the field to the impeccable officiating and the gracious host, Ivory Coast, this 34th edition has earned widespread acclaim as the best in the tournament's history.

Reflecting on the journey since its kickoff on January 13, one can't help but applaud the collective effort and meticulous planning that have seamlessly orchestrated this AFCON, making it the envy of continental football tournaments.

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As the showpiece draws its curtain, and attention shifts to the showdown between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and the host nation Ivory Coast, Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe, along with the competition’s executive committee, took to the media to reflect on the successes achieved thus far.

However, amidst the multitude of positives highlighted during the press briefing, the 62-year-old also touched upon the tantalising prospect of another African nation hosting the FIFA World Cup.

CAF President on Africa hosting the World Cup

When quizzed by a journalist from Sports Brief about the prospect of another African country hosting the World Cup, the CAF president responded,

"Nigeria must put in a bid. The Nigerian president (Bola Tinubu) is coming to watch the final on Sunday. I will have a conversation with him about it.”

The enthusiastic words of the football administrator suggest the significant progress observed on the continent's football landscape.

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However, it has to be stated that the next opportunity for any nation to host the World Cup would be in 2038, as the hosting rights for 2026, 2030, and 2034 have already been awarded to other bidding nations.

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Sports Brief in another report stated that the sacked manager of Ivory Coast, Jean-Louis Gasset, has named his favourite to win the 2023 AFCON final.

Nigeria and Ivory Coast meet for the second time following their group stage clash at the showpiece. Both teams have weathered through many hurdles and are within touching distance of clinching the title at the showpiece.