FG Backs NFF’s Bid for Nigeria to Host AFCON 2027

*Sports Minister, Gusau, others jet out for meeting with CAF

Duro Ikhazuagbe 

The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh,  will be attending the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Executive Committee meeting in Cairo, Egypt, as Nigeria perfects her bid to host the Africa Cup of Nation (AFCON) in 2027.

CAF is expected to announce the hosts for the 2025, 2027 and 2029 editions of the tournament on Wednesday in Cairo.

Nigeria last jointly hosted the continental football showpiece in year 2000 with Ghana.

Senator Enoh will be attending the meeting taking place tomorrow, Wednesday September 27, 2023 as the representative of the Federal Government of Nigeria. The delegation will also make a presentation on the country’s readiness to host while in Cairo. 

He is attending the meeting alongside top executive members of the NFF.

All countries that submitted bids to host the AFCON in 2025 and 2027 are expected to attend the meeting, where the independent assessment committees of CAF will submit their reports for assessments and discussions by CAF EXCO.

The Nigerian delegation includes; President of the NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi and bid Coordinator, Mallam Mainasara Ilo.

Nigeria will make a 10 minute presentation to the CAF EXCO, and will thereafter have time to answer questions on the readiness to host 

Nigeria’s only time as host of the AFCON was in 1980 when Christian Chukwu led the Green Eagles to win the title in front of passionate home fans, including former President Shehu Shagari. The joint hosting with Ghana ended in tears as Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions ran away with these trophy as the same National Stadium in Lagos.

After Cameroon hosted the delayed 2021 edition, Côte d’Ivoire will be hosting the 2023 edition moved to between January and  February next year.