CAF President Motsepe confirms Nigeria and Benin’s joint bid for AFCON 2025

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Dr. Patrice Motsepe, Nigeria is one of five remaining countries in contention to host the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Motsepe while evaluating the performance of African sides at the just concluded FIFA World Cup, said that Algeria, Benin, Morocco, and Zambia are the other countries interested in hosting the continent’s main championship.

There are indications that Nigeria and Benin Republic will put up a joint bid to host Africa’s biggest football Mundial.

“ The joint bid between Nigeria and Benin for the 2025 AFCON is real and we (NFF) along with her Beninese counterpart expected to submit bid documents in a few days,” a source who pleaded anonymity said.

“Of course, some other African countries are also interested but the Nigeria –Benin joint bid is a fascinating prospect.”

Nigeria has hosted the AFCON twice, winning the 1980 edition as host. In 2000, Nigeria co-hosted the tournament alongside Ghana and reached the final, losing on penalties to Cameroon after a 2-2 draw in regulation time.

Cameroon hosted the Las edition in 2021 with Senegal winning its first title. The next edition slated to take place in 2023 in Cote d’ivoire has been postponed to 2024.