Nigeria and Benin jointly submits AFCON 2025 bid

Nigeria has served as the AFCON host nation—once in 2000 as a joint host with Ghana and once in 1980.

Nigeria and its neighbour, the Republic of Benin, have officially filed applications to jointly host the 2025 African Cup of Nations.

Following Guinea’s withdrawal as the host a few months ago, GHANAsoccernet.com reports that Benin and Nigeria have officially filed their proposals to host the 2025 AFCON.

CAF reached the ‘unanimous’ decision after understanding that the west African nation would not be prepared to host the continent’s national teams in a few years.

Following this, previous sources claim that Amaju Pinnick, the ex-president of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, confirmed Nigeria’s intention to host the tournament with Benin before the conclusion of his term in office.

“We are putting a bid together for a co-hosting of the tournament with the Benin Republic,” he said.

“It is high time Nigeria hosted an international tournament because there are many advantages attached to hosting of such competitions.” he added.

The proposal to jointly host the AFCON 2025 with Benin has reportedly advanced despite his absence, according to recent sources.

After months of speculations, it is finally confirmed that the two West African nations have submitted a proposal to host the Africa Cup of Nations in 2025.

The Algerian Football Federation has exposed the recent action of the two football federations, despite the fact that the Benin Football Federation and NFF have yet to make any announcements on this through their official websites or social media platforms.

According to reports, FAF President Salah Bey Aboud said that Benin and Nigeria had jointly made a bid and that Morocco was also competing to host the event.

The president said, “I am currently in Cairo, and I have just officially submitted Algeria’s candidacy file for AFCON 2025.” in a radio interview with an Algerian station.

“Nigeria and Benin have submitted a joint file in addition to the Moroccan file,” added Aboud.

The 16th of December is the deadline for applications, and these nations will be inspected in January 2023.