Nigeria has notified the Confederation of African Football (CAF) of her desire to stage the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2025.
The country last hosted a major international football tournament almost 13 years ago.
Cameroon hosted the delayed edition last January with Cote ‘d Ivoire scheduled to stage the next edition next year. CAF listed Guinea to host the 2025 edition but there are strong indications now that the West African nation may not be able to do so due to the political situation in the country as well as inability to put her facilities in order.
The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, confirmed the news on Tuesday.
“Yes, I have indicated to CAF early today (Tuesday) during our emergency zoom meeting that Nigeria will be able to stage the tournament,” Pinnick said.
Nigeria first staged the tournament in 1980 and won the trophy for the first time with 3-0 win over Algeria in the final match. 20 years later, Nigeria co-hosted the 2000 edition with Ghana which the Super Eagles lost the final on home soil to the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon at the National Stadium in Lagos.
The last time Nigeria staged any major football competition was in 2009 with the FIFA U-17 tournament which the Golden Eaglets lost to Switzerland in the final match at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja.
