Flying Eagles Face Uncertainty as Ivory Coast Withdraws from 2025 U20 AFCON Hosting
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have been left in uncertainty following Ivory Coast’s unexpected withdrawal as hosts of the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The announcement, made by the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) on Tuesday, comes just 30 days before the tournament’s scheduled start.
The decision has forced the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to search urgently for a new host nation. Ivory Coast had been confirmed as hosts in December 2024 and qualified automatically after initially failing to secure a spot. However, a government directive has now halted all preparations.
A statement from FIF to CAF confirmed the withdrawal, with President Yacine Idriss Diallo expressing gratitude to all involved and assuring that further updates would follow. Ivory Coast could now face CAF sanctions, including a potential ban from the next two U20 AFCON tournaments.
With no confirmed replacement host, the tournament’s future remains uncertain. Morocco, already hosting the U17 AFCON, is seen as a strong candidate to step in due to its existing infrastructure, but CAF has yet to make an official announcement.
Flying Eagles’ Plans Disrupted
The withdrawal has disrupted Nigeria’s tournament plans. The Flying Eagles were set to begin their campaign against Egypt on 30 April in Korhogo, followed by matches against Morocco and South Africa. With the tournament’s location now unclear, travel and preparation plans must be adjusted.
Currently, the team is in a training camp in Katsina, supported by the state government. The Flying Eagles are aiming for at least a semi-final finish, which would secure qualification for the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile later this year. Having won the U20 AFCON a record seven times, Nigeria remains hopeful that CAF will resolve the situation quickly so the tournament can proceed as planned.
