Who is lying? After Nigeria said No, Benin Republic say Yes to 2025 joint Afcon bid

Africa’s most populated nation, Nigeria co-hosted the continental championship with neighbours Ghana in 2000 and a repeat of that profitable outing might be on the playing cards

Experiences of Nigeria’s intention to co-host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with Benin Republic will not be completely large off the mark after the tiny West African nation confirmed its involvement within the mission.

The host for the thirty fifth version of the continental championship is but to be determined after CAF stripped Guinea of the internet hosting rights following a perceived lack of preparedness.

A couple of weeks in the past, experiences emerged within the native media that Nigeria was perfecting plans to current a joint bid with the Republic of Benin to CAF for the rights to stage the event.

North African giants Algeria and Morocco in addition to Zambia have additionally indicated an curiosity in internet hosting the Afcon.

NFF denies the joint Afcon bid

However the Nigeria Soccer Federation, NFF, has denied experiences that the world’s most populous black nation is planning to host the largest soccer showpiece on the continent.

Stating that such a bid doesn’t exist, NFF’s First Vice President, Felix Anyansi-Agwu, insists he’s unaware of such a transfer from the nation’s primary soccer physique.

“I don’t suppose such an association is in progress. I don’t know something in regards to the AFCON bid,” Anyansi-Agwu instructed The Guardian.

Benin FF confirms the joint bid

Nonetheless, the Beninese Soccer Federation has confirmed that certainly each international locations are within the superior stage of understanding a joint bid for the 2025 Afcon.

A member of the manager committee of the Beninese Soccer Federation, Imorou Bouraïma, revealed that within the proposal, Benin would supply two whereas Nigeria will current 4 of the six stadia wanted for a profitable outing.

“Nigeria is a border nation with Benin and we even have nearly the identical cultures. You already know that now the Africa Cup of Nations includes 24 taking part international locations and 6 main stadiums are wanted.

“Nigeria has many however Benin on this bid utilized with two massive stadiums. It’s the Stade de l’Amitié in Kouhounou after which the Stade Charles de Gaulle in Porto-Novo,” Imorou Bouraïma stated, as per Africa Foot United.

Bouraïma additionally confirms that the joint bid already has the political backing of the Beninese authorities.

“The Beninese authorities is dedicated so all of the commitments have been made. We’re launched and really properly launched elsewhere. There’s a excellent political will to henceforth make Benin identified all through the world.”

Nigeria’s earlier internet hosting report

Three-time African champions, Nigeria have performed host to the remainder of Africa on two earlier events.

The West African giants hosted the continental championship for the primary time in 1980, occurring to carry the title – the nation’s first – within the remaining in Lagos.

Nigeria then co-hosted Afcon 2000 with Ghana and made it to the ultimate earlier than shedding on penalties to Cameroon.