Nigeria, Benin Republic bid to co-host 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
Nigeria and its West African neighbour Benin Republic have submitted a joint bid to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), a source close to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed.
Nigeria is yet to host the football showpiece since the 2000 edition which they co-hosted with Ghana, while Benin Republic has never staged a major tournament finals.
According to BBC Sport Africa, a top official of the NFF said that the federation completed all the necessary processes, and officially submitted a bid to the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) before the December 16 deadline.
“Having completed all the processes, we submitted our bid before the Confederation of African Football (Caf) deadline of 16 December,” the source said to BBC.
The statement added: “The NFF will be sharing more information on the bid to stage the tournament in the coming weeks.”
Nigeria, who last hosted the finals of a major international tournament in 2009, which was the Under-17 World Cup, and Benin, would be prepared to convince the CAF officials when inspections begin from January 5 to 25 next year.
The bid to host the 2025 AFCON was reopened a few months ago after initial hosts Guinea was stripped of the hosting rights, with CAF citing the inability of the country to meet the deadline to get facilities ready for the tournament.
The West African nation is currently struggling with political instability following a military junta that ousted former civilian president Alpha Coundé in September 2021.
Meanwhile, Nigeria faces a stiff competition from other countries including Zambia, Algeria, Morocco and South Africa, who have all expressed their interest in hosting the finals, with the winner expected to be named in February next year.
In a October report, Peoples Gazette reviewed the five key tasks undercut Nigeria’s push to host Africa Cup of Nations after 22 years.
The three-time Africa champions have lost AFCON hosting bids four times in 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2019, but would be looking to overturn the outcome this time around.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Ibadan
Babangida pleads guilty to terrorism charges
Mr Babangida, who had been remanded for over three years, pleaded guilty to the three-count amended charge.
Africa
ITUC-Africa urges world leaders to prioritise peace, development over wars
ITUC-Africa urged world leaders to prioritise peace, dialogue and human development over wars and militarisation.
Showbiz
Sexual predator Russell Brand sentenced to decade in prison
Russell Brand, 51, has been sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison after being convicted of four sexual offences.
Lagos
Lagos 2027: Hamzat demonstrated experience, preparedness at governorship debate
APC hailed its governorship candidate, Obafemi Hamzat, for demonstrating experience, preparedness and policy depth at a Lagos governorship debate on Sunday.
Economy
Tinubu govt suspends broadcast licence fee reviews indefinitely
On the digital switch-over, Mr Idris promised a stakeholders’ meeting to address any outstanding issues.
Politics
Delta Nollywood pledges to mobilise for Tinubu, Oborevwori
Mr Otoide said the group was determined to sustain its momentum and contribute to the political mobilisation for Mr Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
