AFCON 2025 Bid: CAF Inspects Facilities In Nigeria And Benin 

Nigeria is bidding to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in a joint bid with its West Africa neighbour, Benin Republic.

As part of a joint bid to host the 35th edition of AFCON in 2025, Nigeria and the Benin Republic have submitted stadiums and supporting facilities that are currently being inspected by inspectors designated by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The inspectors have visited Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna, the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos, the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, and the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja during their visit to Nigeria last weekend.

According to a statement released on Sunday by the Nigeria Football Federation’s spokesperson, Ademola Olajire, the four-person team included Jean-Louis Romain, Emma Bollet, Didier Levy, and Timour Tawfik.

On Saturday night, the team stopped over at the Teslim Balogun Stadium which was under extensive renovation, and they were received by the Executive Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission, Sola Aiyepeku, alongside the Director General, LSSC, Toyin Gafaar Bolowotan and; the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Grassroots Development, Anthony Adeboye.

At the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba on Sunday, the Executive Director of Delta State Sports Commission, Chief Tonobox Okowa (who is also President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria) was joined by the Director General, of DSSC, Chief Chris Anazuih, and the Chairman of the Delta State Football Association, Chief Kenneth Nwaomucha as the team went round the facility.

In Benin City also, on Sunday, the Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Mr Yusuf Alli, was in company with the Permanent Secretary, Sabina Chikere; Chairman of the Edo State Football Association, Abu Rowland, and the Director of Facilities, Victor Edokpayi, as they inspected several sections of the magnificent facility.

A common refrain has been the need to reconfigure facilities in a way that different client groups in the football arena, such as VIPs, players and their officials, media representatives, and the fans will have seamless and distinct entry and exit points to play their part without any group obstructing the other.

The inspectors will also check out the Stade Charles de Gaulle, Porto Novo in the Benin Republic as part of their rounds for the joint bid between Nigeria and the Benin Republic.

Recall that the last time Nigeria co-hosted AFCON was 23 years ago alongside Ghana. Before then, the country hosted it in 1980.

Other countries bidding to host AFCON 2025

Aside from Nigeria-Benin’s joint bid, Algeria and Zambia are bidding to host the biennial tournament separately in 2025. Algeria is said to be the strongest bidder so far.