The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced Egypt as the new host of the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) following Côte d’Ivoire’s withdrawal.

CAF made the announcement in a statement on Thursday evening, revealing that the West African nation pulled out just a month before the tournament due to “unforeseen circumstances.”

Côte d’Ivoire was initially scheduled to host the age-grade competition from April 26 to May 18, but the hosting rights have now been transferred to Egypt.

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“The Confédération Africaine de Football (‘CAF’) today awarded the Egyptian Football Association (‘EFA’) and Egyptian Government the rights to host the TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations 2025,” part of the statement read.

Egypt, which hosted the previous edition of the tournament, will now take on the responsibility once again. The competition has been slightly rescheduled and will now commence on April 27.

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles are drawn in Group B alongside the new hosts, Egypt, as well as Morocco and South Africa.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage, while the best two third-placed teams will also earn quarter-final slots.

Furthermore, the four semi-finalists of the tournament will automatically qualify for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile.

Egypt’s appointment as host comes as a swift solution following Côte d’Ivoire’s unexpected withdrawal, ensuring that Africa’s premier youth tournament proceeds as planned.

Strategic partners to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), GTI Asset Management and Trust Limited has successfully facilitated a partnership between the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and managers of the elite league for live radio commentaries during match-day activities.

GTI Head of Media and Publicity, Andrew Ekejiuba, made the revelation following the successful signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between both parties in Abuja on Thursday March 27, 2025.

During the signing of the MoU, the NPFL Board chairman Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye described the partnership deal between both parties as a game-changer initiative aimed at further enhancing the popularity of the top-tier League in the country and beyond.

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“The return of regular live radio commentary on FRCN, the largest Radio Network in Africa is a heartwarming initiative because it is a sure channel to bring the magic of the ever-improving NPFL to as many homes, cars and football-loving Nigerians.

“This collaboration which is largely a corporate social responsibility of Radio Nigeria was agreed because of their unbeatable reach and reputation over the years,” he said.

In his response the Director General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Dr. Mohammed Bulama an ardent follower of sports and football in particular, said he was pleased that live commentaries of Nigeria Premier Football League are back on the Network Service during his time at the corporation.

Also present at the occasion was the Executive Director of GTI Group, Nelson Ine, who used the occasion to thank both parties for reaching a decision that aims to add value to the fast-rising elite league.

“Today marks another milestone in GTI’s quest in giving the NPFL a new lease of life. The step taken today has added value to the NPFL project because it has given more Nigerians the opportunity to listen to live commentaries of our elite league by bringing it to the doorsteps of our citizens.

“GTI remains committed to improving our league and adding value to it. We are all delighted today because history has been made and we hope Corporate Nigeria will use this golden opportunity to support the project via sponsorship and utilising it for their brand visibility,” he said.

It was gathered that the deal would be in place till the end of the 2024/2025 NPFL season and would be renewed for continuity.

Ogun State Governor and chief host of the 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival, Dapo Abiodun has remarked that the event will inspire more sports stars in Nigeria.

The festival which will host in May will be held at various facilities in Abeokuta and Ikenne-Remo axis.

During the flag-off of the games by President Bola Tinubu, the governor remarked that Ogun State is eager to welcome the athletes with all arrangements in place to ensure a smooth and successful tournament.

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“We worked hard to secure the hosting right, and we want to use the festival to unearth more sports stars for Nigeria.

“We want to inspire the next generation of athletes that will make the country proud at the national and international tournaments. We’re ready and hopefully, this can be the best National Sports Festival in the history of the games,” he said.

In the same vein, during the event at the Aso Villa on Tuesday, former Governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba lauded the governor’s interest in sports while acknowledging that the state has produced some of the country’s finest athletes including Falilat Ogunkoya and Tobi Amusan.