The intended host of the 2025 African Cup of Nations (2025 AFCON ) must be prepared to lay aside significant funds, according to the latest information from the African soccer governing body, thesportsbay.com reports.
Originally slated to host the event, Guinea was relieved of the duties after failing to achieve the standards for infrastructure and facilities.
It can be recalled that President of the CAF, Patrice Motsepe, travelled to Conakry in September for discussions with the interim president, Colonel Mamady Doumbouya and declared afterwards that Guinea will not be ready to host the event in 2025.
In March, Colonel Doumbouya had appointed a new organising committee, ousting the previous team, one of whose members publicly expressed doubts about the project’s feasibility.
He issued a decree declaring the organisation of the AFCON 2025 “of national interest and priority”.
It is not the first time a country has been stripped of hosting AFCON hosting rights.
Cameroon was stripped of the right to host the 2019 tournament because they weren’t considered ready but they were awarded the 2021 tournament – which took place earlier this year because of delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The football organization recently reopened the bidding process, and nations who are interested have begun to indicate their intentions to host the biennial event.
The inspection of the countries bidding to host AFCON 2025 will begin from January 5 to January 25, 2023 and on February 10, 2023, the appointment of Host Country/Countries by the CAF Executive Committee will be announced.
In addition to fulfilling the hosting requirements, the nation planning to host the competition in 2025 must set aside $80 million, which is $20 million more than the amount set by Ivory Coast, the host nation for the 2023 edition.
Morocco, Algeria are among the countries that have signified to host the tournament. Meanwhile, Cote D’Ivoire will host the next edition of African Nations Cup.
