By Victor Kanayo
Morocco have been confirmed as the host of the prestigious 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
This was after all members of the Executive Committee voted unanimously in favor of Morocco.
The North African country garnered all the 22 votes to emerge the host leaving other bidding countries. Nigeria and Algeria had zero votes.
It would be the third time the country is hosting continental football tournaments in three years.
Morroco that last hosted the tournament in 1988, was due to stage it again in 2015 but withdrew because of fears over an Ebola outbreak.
The country hosted the 2022 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations, AWCON and will host the next edition next year.
The North African nation successfully hosted both the Women’s African Cup of Nations and the Club World Cup in the past 12 months.
Morocco have remained the first African country to reach the FIFA World Cup semi-final.
The tournament was supposed to be hosted in June-July 2025, however, due to the formation of the expanded FIFA Club World Cup scheduled to be held same period, the 2025 AFCON might be hosted between January and February 2026.
Nigeria in joint bid with Benin Republic will wait to find out if their push to host the 2027 edition of AFCON will scale through.