Nigeria’s Flying Eagles face an even tougher road at the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed Egypt as the new tournament host, Soccernet.ng reports.
CAF officially awarded the hosting rights to the Egyptian Football Association and the Egyptian government following Côte d’Ivoire’s withdrawal.
The Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) cited unforeseen circumstances as the reason they could no longer organise the competition, which was initially scheduled to begin on April 26, 2025.
Egypt had previously submitted a bid during the initial selection process before losing out to Côte d’Ivoire. With the West African nation stepping down, Egypt’s long-standing ambition to host the event has now been fulfilled.
The competition is set to begin on April 27, 2025, with the final scheduled for May 18, 2025.
Côte d’Ivoire’s withdrawal has also led to adjustments in the group stage lineup. Initially placed in Group A with five teams, the Ivorians’ absence means their slot will not be filled by another team, leaving Ghana, Tanzania, Central African Republic, and DR Congo to battle for two qualification spots.
For Nigeria, the change in host nation significantly alters the landscape of Group B.
The Flying Eagles will now face hosts Egypt, South Africa, and Morocco — a formidable trio that presents one of the toughest challenges in the tournament.
