CAF considers Nigeria for U-20 AFCON spot following Ghana’s expected withdrawal

By Tosin Omojola

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has informed the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) that Nigeria’s U-20 team should be on standby for a possible place at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which also serves as a qualifying tournament for the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

CAF arrived at the decision after Ghana, the initial host of the tournament, reportedly failed to meet the requirements for hosting the competition.

Ghana is now set to lose its hosting rights, with CAF expected to announce a new host.

The development could open the door for Nigeria’s qualification after the country finished as runners-up in the WAFU B U-20 tournament.

Ghana’s status as the initial host was the reason only one team from the WAFU B zone was initially guaranteed qualification, with the second slot reserved for the host nation.

Nigeria, who lost 1-4 to Burkina Faso in the final, were initially left out, as CAF confirmed only the regional champions for the competition.

However, with Ghana set to lose its hosting rights, Nigeria could take the country’s place as the zone’s second representative, having finished as runners-up.