Nigeria/Benin bid opts out of AFCON 2025, focuses on 2027 hosting

BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

The Nigeria-Benin Republic joint bid for the hosting of the Africa Cup of Nations  2025 may have been stepped down for a more realistic 2027 edition of the African premier football competition.

This is sequel to the looming possibility of Morocco getting the 2025 bid and Algeria stepping down from the 2027 bid.

Originally, the dual West African bid was for 2025. It is most unlikely that the continental football fiesta will hold three times in a row in the same area. Nigeria’s eastern neighbours, Cameroon hosted the last edition last year. Cote d’Ivoire in the same West Africa zone with Nigeria and Benin Republic are due to host the next edition few months time.

The possibility of a West Africa successful bid is therefore very narrow. The same thinking may have forced Algeria, bitter rivals to neighbours Morocco to opt out of the 2027 race.

Morocco are in the forefront of getting the nod for the 2025 hosting. The Nigeria-Benin joint bid for 2027 draw competition from Senegal, Egypt, Botswana and a tripartite bid by Uganda/Kenya/Tanzania.