The Confederation of African Football (CAF) President , Dr. Patrice Motsepe, has confirmed that Nigeria is among the quintet of countries in the running to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after Guinea withdrew recently, saying they were “not ready”.
Speaking during a press conference in Johannesburg yesterday to appraise the performance of the five continental flag bearers to the recently concluded FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the South African billionaire hinted that Algeria, Benin, Morocco and Zambia are the other countries interested in hosting the continent’s flagship tournament.
Incidentally, words are rife that Nigeria will be putting a joint bid with neighbouring Republic of Benin even as the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) are sweating over the bidding documentation.
“ The joint bid between Nigeria and Benin for the 2025 AFCON is real and we (NFF) along with her Beninese counterpart is expected to submit a bid documents in few days,” a top NFF official privy to the arrangements told Nation Sport on anonymity. “ Of course, some other African countries are also interested but the Nigeria –Benin joint bid is a fascinating prospect.”
Meanwhile, Motsepe said there is a big possibility for an African country to play in the Final Match of the 2026 Wold Cup following the heroic performance of Morocco especially at Qatar 2022.
He said that CAF was particularly excited by the historic victories of Morocco and its qualification for the semi-finals as well as the impressive performances of Senegal, Cameroon, Tunisia and Ghana.
“Morocco opened the door by reaching the semi-finals this month and I am confident an African nation will go further at the next World Cup,” Motsepe noted. “The main objective of CAF (Confederation of African Football) is for an African nation to win the World Cup and that goal is within reach.”
He added in a statement posted on the website of the continental soccer ruling body: “The 54 African countries who are members of CAF are extremely proud and inspired by the victories and successes of the five African Nations that represented CAF at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
“We are also particularly proud of Morocco’s historic qualification to the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. It is the first time in the history of the FIFA World Cup that an African Nation has qualified for the semi-finals.
I would like to express our deep gratitude to the players (Les Lions de l’Atlas), the technical team, the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football under the outstanding leadership of President Fouzi Lekjaa, the people of Morocco and His Royal Highness King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him.
“Our objective of ensuring that an African Nation wins the FIFA World Cup is alive and within reach.”