The governing body of African football (CAF) have announced that Morocco will host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Morocco are coming in as a replacement for Guinea, who were stripped of the hosting right for the tournament in October 2022.
The Confederation of African Football stripped the West African nation of the hosting right due to issues regarding infrastructure and facilities.
Morocco host 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after Zambia and Nigeria-Benin withdrew their bids
Zambia and a joint bid from Nigeria-Benin were also contending to host the tournament in 2025, but they withdrew their bid to allow Morocco to host the tournament.
Zambia and Nigeria-Benin withdrew their bid to allow Morocco to show their capabilities, with the hope that it would boost the chances of Africa to host the World Cup.
Morocco are jointly bidding to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside European nations; Spain and Portugal.
Meanwhile, a joint bid from Eastern African nations; Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania have also been handed the hosting rights for the showpiece that would be held in 2027.
Patrice Motsepe on the selection of host nations for the continental showpiece
Speaking on the decision to hand certain countries the hosting rights for the subsequent African Cup of Nations, Patrice Motsepe said:
“The decision that was taken today was to focus on African unity, development and growth, in the context of those countries withdrawing.”
Motsepe also said that “a huge amount of money is being spent on Morocco” for the tournament in 2025.
Additionally, the South African emphasized that Morocco’s bid to host the World Cup is not only for the nation’s good, but an honor for the continent at large.
The 2027 edition of the AFCON to be hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, will be the first time that countries from the Eastern part of Africa will be hosting the tournament since Ethiopia in 1976.
Patrice Motsepe claimed that the three nations all teamed up due to the high standards and requirements of CAF.
2027 AFCON is going to be a huge success – Motsepe
Motsepe also expressed his huge optimism regarding the 2027 AFCON, expressing that it is “going to be a huge success.”
The next edition of the African Cup of Nations will be hosted by Ivory Coast and it has been slated to take place from the 13th of January till the 11th of February 2024.
The draws for the tournament are expected to be held in Abidjan on October 12, 2023, at 7:00 PM.
Senegal are the defending champions of the tournament, having defeated Egypt on penalties in the previous edition that was hosted by Cameroon.
Following 120 minutes of intense action, the Terenga Lions came out victorious 4-2 in the final.
The Pharaohs of Egypt are the most successful side in the history of the competition, with 7 AFCON titles to their name.
Nigeria, Senegal, Egypt, Cameroon, host Ivory Coast, and 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-finalist Morocco are favorites to win the next edition of the African Cup of Nations.
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