CAF in crisis mode as Nigeria await new U20 AFCON host after Ivory Coast’s shock withdrawal

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have been thrown into uncertainty after the shocking withdrawal of Ivory Coast as hosts of the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), just 30 days before the tournament’s scheduled kickoff, Soccernet.ng reports.

The decision, announced by the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) on Tuesday, has sent shockwaves through African football, leaving the Confederation of African Football (CAF) scrambling to find an alternative venue for the continental showpiece.

Ivory Coast, which was only confirmed as host in December 2024, had secured its place in the tournament after initially failing to qualify. The nation had begun preparations under newly appointed head coach Younes Zerdouk, but those plans have now collapsed following a government directive.

“By this letter, President Yacine Idriss Diallo, President of the FIF, President of COCAN U20, informs you that, by official letter, the Government has notified the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) of the withdrawal of Côte d’Ivoire as host country of the U20 Africa Cup of Nations,” a statement from FIF to CAF read.

It continued: “In accordance with the instructions of the President of the FIF, the Executive Director transmitted this information to the Secretary General of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) this Tuesday, March 25, 2025.

“The President wishes to express his deep gratitude to everyone for their commitment and the work accomplished in the organization of this competition and to reassure you that everyone will be informed of the follow-up that CAF will give to this situation.”

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With the Ivorian national team automatically disqualified, the country could also face heavy sanctions from CAF, including potential exclusion from the next two U20 AFCON tournaments.

The abrupt withdrawal has left CAF in a race against time to secure a replacement host or risk postponing the tournament.

One potential solution could be Morocco, which is already set to host the U17 AFCON starting this Sunday. With the necessary infrastructure in place and the Moroccan U20 team already qualified, the North African nation could once again step in as African football’s crisis manager.

However, no official announcement has been made, and teams, including Nigeria’s Flying Eagles, now face an anxious wait to see where the tournament will be held.

Flying Eagles’ tournament plans thrown Into uncertainty

The withdrawal of Ivory Coast throws Nigeria’s tournament plans into disarray.

The seven-time African champions were scheduled to open their campaign against Egypt’s Young Pharaohs on April 30 at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium in Korhogo.

Their second group game was set for May 3 against Morocco’s Young Atlas Lions, before wrapping up Group B action against South Africa on May 6, all in Korhogo.

Now, with the tournament’s location up in the air, the Flying Eagles may have to readjust their travel logistics and preparation plans.

The team is currently in a training camp in Katsina, supported by the state government, in the first phase of their final buildup for the championship.

With a semi-final finish securing automatic qualification for the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile later this year, Nigeria remain focused on their target despite the uncertainty surrounding the tournament’s hosting.

Having won the U20 AFCON a record seven times and finishing as runners-up in the FIFA U20 World Cup twice, Nigeria will be hoping CAF resolves the hosting crisis swiftly to allow the competition to proceed as planned.