September 27, (THEWILL) – It has been announced that Nigeria will not be hosting the Africa Cup of Nations tournaments in 2025 or 2027. Nigeria had put in a joint bid with Benin, to host either the 2025 or 2027 championships, however, Morocco was awarded hosting rights for 2025 after receiving 22 votes at the CAF meeting in Cairo, on Wednesday.
In a second vote, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania were revealed as the winning joint bid for 2027. Nigeria had hoped to host the 36th edition of the tournament, but the decision went to the East African countries instead. Nigeria has only hosted the AFCON twice before, in 1980, when they were champions and 2000, when they were runners-up.
When Nigeria hosted in 1980 the final was played in Lagos and they defeated Algeria to win the prestigious trophy on home soil. Twenty years later in 2000, Nigeria co-hosted with Ghana, but this time they ended as finalists rather than champions.
Morocco securing the 2025 tournament means it will be the third time they have acted as hosts, having previously done so in 1972 and 1988. It is a blow for Nigerian football that their bid was not successful against strong competition from across the continent for the right to host either event.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
