African Football Odyssey: Morocco Secures 2025, East African Trio Claims 2027 AFCON Hosting Rights.

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The landscape of African football is set for a major overhaul as Morocco have today clinched the hosting rights for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Simultaneously, a compelling co-bid from Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda emerged victorious, granting them the privilege of hosting the 2027 edition.

Morocco's triumph was effectively by default, as Algeria, Zambia, and a combined effort from Benin and Nigeria all withdrew their hosting bids before the final decision, which unfolded during the Confederation of African Football's executive committee meeting in Cairo. The North African nation, long regarded as a frontrunner, now envisions this as a significant boost to its ambitions of co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Portugal and Spain. However, the unexpected joint East African bid's success for the 2027 tournament has thrown an exciting curveball into the mix.

For East Africa, this marks a momentous occasion as it regains the AFCON finals for the first time since 1976. In a closely watched vote, the Kenya-Tanzania-Uganda alliance prevailed over competing bids from Botswana, Egypt, and Senegal. Even Algeria, once a potential candidate, withdrew from contention just a day prior.

Kenya's history with the tournament has not been without its share of challenges. While the nation was previously granted hosting rights in 1996, it saw the privilege revoked due to inadequate preparations. Moreover, Kenya has recently emerged from a lengthy FIFA ban, imposed due to government interference in the administration of its football federation.

CAF President, Patrice Motsepe, has underlined the commitment to regional inclusivity in African football and it role in development across the continent.

The tournament has to be spread around the regions and contribute to the development of football.

The 2025 AFCON event will mark only the second time Morocco has hosted Africa's most popular sporting spectacle, nearly four decades after its previous stint in 1988. The stage is now set for a remarkable period of African football, with Morocco and the East African trio poised to make history.


Joshua Afari | afarijosh99@gmail.com

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