Nigeria’s inability to host the Africa Cup of Nations since 2000 is “sad” and “a big shame,” according to former Super Eagles winger, Obinna Nsofor.
Speaking on the country’s declining stadium standards and inability to meet CAF requirements, the Nsofor said Nigeria must urgently address its infrastructure problems.
“The fact is that it’s been a very long time since Nigeria, as a country, had the opportunity to host any major tournament. The last one we hosted was in 2000,” he recalled.
“We all know the situation we have in Nigeria as a country in terms of infrastructure. The standard of the stadiums are not at the level required to host a major CAF tournament, and that’s the truth.”
Infrastructural Upgrade is Urgent
Nsofor also expressed concern over the Super Eagles’ inability to play matches across different states in the country due to inadequate facilities.
“Even the national team of Nigeria finds it difficult to play matches in the country.
“In terms of going to other states for Super Eagles games, we have only one stadium in Nigeria that is up to the standard required to host qualifying matches.”
Poor maintenance culture
“It’s quite unfortunate and sad. In Nigeria, there is no long-term plan because we only plan for the present. We don’t have a maintenance culture.”
“A stadium like the Abuja National Stadium, with the amount of money that has been spent on it, cannot even host a national team game. It’s really sad.”
Nsofor insisted that Nigeria has the potential to successfully host AFCON again if the right investments are made.
“As a country, we need to do better if we want to move forward. We have to tell ourselves the truth and start doing the right thing.”
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“If we put the infrastructure in place, there is no way CAF won’t inspect it and see that it meets the required standards. There is no way they won’t accept our bid and allow us to host the AFCON.”
Nigeria’s most recent attempt to host the tournament came in the bidding process for the 2027 AFCON, where the country submitted a joint bid alongside Benin.
However, the hosting rights were eventually awarded to the joint East African bid of Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania in September 2023.
