The hosting rights of CAF’s biannual inter-state senior mens tournament, Afcon has been a contest for political, socio-economic, infrastructural and financial importance amongst countries bidding.
The flagship tournament has seen major improvement in growth and development on the African continent and its contribution towards football development cannot be downplayed. Some African players have seized the opportunity of participating in the Afcon tournament to showcase their enormous talents and in effect earning them deserving contracts and attracting new clubs notably Percy Tau,Krépin Diatta and Ismailia Sarr. Whilst other countries sees the tournament as a perfect opportunity to exhibit the football, it’s also the perfect grounds to know the direction of football development; progressing or retrogressing. In football Development, the increase in prize money has at each stage of the competition over the years has contributed significantly to football development across the globe, Madagascar and Comoros are great examples.
Non-footballing reasons for hosting the tournament is attracting foreigners to the country. Promoting peace, unity, culture and tourism via the tournament is key to host nation(s) and participating nations. Directly impacting on the nation’s economy from tourism and investments. With infrastructure, Afcon 2008 is a perfect example. The upgrade of Kumasi Baba Yara sports stadium and Accra sports stadium to international standards, construction of new stadia at Sekondi and Tamale and training facilities at the various senior high schools and centers contributes immensely to football in Ghana. Hospitality centers can’t be left out; City hotel ( now Golden Tulip) in Kumasi seeing major investment. Profits of hosting Afcon could be discussed for days.
Nigeria, a powerhouse in football on the African continent seeks to bid for the rights to host the Afcon tournament together with their western neighbors, Benin republic as co-hosts in 2025. Contesting with Nigeria and Benin for the hosting rights are Morocco, Zambia and Algeria.
The west African nation seeks to co-host the tournament once again after co-hosting the tournament in 2000 with Ghana. Inspectors appointed by CAF are in Nigeria to inspect stadiums and related facilities that Nigeria has put forward in a joint bid with Benin Republic.
The team inspected the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja on Friday. Saturday saw them at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos while they were at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba and the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin on Sunday. The inspectors also checked out the Stade Charles de Gaulle, Porto Novo in Benin Republic as part of their rounds for the joint bid between Nigeria and Benin Republic.