By Milcah Tanimu
In a recent announcement, Nigeria, in partnership with Benin Republic, has lost its joint bid to host the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2027. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) revealed the outcome of the bid after a vote conducted by its Executive Committee in Cairo, Egypt.
Despite the efforts of Nigeria’s Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, and representatives from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the joint bid from Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania emerged victorious, securing the hosting rights for AFCON 2027.
Nigeria had previously hosted the AFCON tournament in 1980, a memorable occasion when the national team clinched the championship. However, this year’s bid to co-host the tournament alongside Benin Republic did not yield a favorable result.