April 03, (THEWILL) – A team of inspectors appointed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is currently in Nigeria to evaluate stadiums and related facilities.
The facilities being inspected were put forward by Nigeria in a joint bid with Benin Republic to host the 35th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2025. The Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja; Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo; Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba; Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos; Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City and; Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna are all under review.
The team has already visited the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja and the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos. On Sunday, the inspectors visited the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba and the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City. They will also check out the Stade Charles de Gaulle in Porto Novo, Benin Republic as part of their rounds for the joint bid.
Nigeria has hosted the biennial event once before in 1980 and co-hosted with Ghana 23 years ago when both replaced the original host, Zimbabwe. With this latest joint bid between Nigeria and the Benin Republic in the works, the CAF-appointed team’s evaluation of the stadiums and related facilities is crucial. The inspection of these facilities will play a significant role in determining the host nation for the 2025 AFCON.
The joint bid shows a potential for a great partnership between the two countries, and if successful, will be an opportunity to once again, showcase Africa’s footballing prowess on a global stage.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
