Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have been left in limbo following Ivory Coast’s unexpected withdrawal as hosts of the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), just a month before the tournament’s scheduled kickoff.
The Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) announced the decision on Tuesday, throwing African football into uncertainty and leaving the Confederation of African Football (CAF) scrambling to find a new host.
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Ivory Coast, which was only awarded hosting rights in December 2024 after failing to qualify, had begun preparations under new head coach Younes Zerdouk. However, a government directive has forced the country to abandon its plans, leading to automatic disqualification.
CAF now faces a race against time to secure an alternative venue, while Ivory Coast risks heavy sanctions, including possible exclusion from future editions of the tournament.
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