Godswill Akpabio International Stadium and one other AFCON 2025 potential opening/final match venue
Nigeria and Benin Republic are amongst bids for the 2025 AFCON tournament hosting right which was recently stripped from Guinea.
While announcing his countries interest and bid, Algerian Football Federation President yesterday confirmed Nigeria and Benin Republic have submitted a joint bid to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations – AFCON.
Former Nigeria Football Federation helmsman Amaju Pinnick did drop hint of the bid just before his tenure elapsed in September 2022 .
Guinea was awarded the hosting rights before CAF withdrew the hosting right because they failed to meet expectations for hosting Africa’s grandest footballing event.
In this article, SportsRation looks at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo and one other Nigerian match venue that would host the opening and final games of the 2025 AFCON if the bid succeeds.
GODSWILL AKPABIO INTERNATIONAL STADIUM, UYO
One venue in Nigeria that will surely be selected as one of the match venues for the 2025 AFCON if the Nigeria/Benin Republic bid gets the nod of CAF.
The 35,000 capacity Godswill Akpabio International Stadium Uyo nicknamed The Nest of Champions may even get the blessing to host the opening ceremony and final because of the high standard of facilities.
Commissioned in 2013, the venue played host to the 2022 CAF Confederation Cup Final game between RSB Berkane and Orlando Pirates with distinction.
This venue has received endorsement from successive Super Eagles coaches and international sports facility personnels.
MOSHOOD ABIOLA STADIUM, ABUJA
The National Stadium located in the heart of Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory.
With a sitting capacity of 60490, the Moshood Abiola Stadium has recently hosted 90% of Nigeria National team matches.
If Nigeria/Benin Republic get the 2025 AFCON hosting rights, this venue will headline list of match venues for the tournament.
OTHER OPTION
STADE DE L’AMITE , Cotonou
Nigeria will be favourites for the opening and final games if the bid succeeds but if Benin Republic is considered, the Stade De L’Amite in Cotonou, Benin Republic will be the option.
Otherwise known as the Friendship Stadium, the venue has a 20,000 sitting capacity and is home of the Benin Republic National team.
OTHER BIDS
Morroco, Algeria, Zambia, South Africa and Senegal are other countries who are mentioned with bids for the 2025 AFCON tournament.
BEFORE THE 2025 AFCON
While CAF has scheduled inspection of potential 2025 host countries for January 2023, the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations will take place in Ivory Coast before plans are set in motion for the 2025 edition.
The announcement of the host country for the 2025 edition will be made before the end of 2023.
