By Bassey Ibiatisuho
Nigeria’s prestigious Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo will on Monday, August 7, 2023 play host to an inspection team from the Confederation of African Football – CAF ahead of the joint bid for the hosting of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations finals by Nigeria and Benin Republic.
The inspection team which will include a guide from the Nigeria Football Federation – NFF is expected to land at the Victor Attah International Airport by 10:30am and would be received by the Akwa Ibom State Football Normalization Committee.
The seven-man team is scheduled to inspect the airport before proceeding to the 30,000 capacity Stadium, popularly called The Nest of Champions. The lastest inspection is coming barely two weeks after a special delegation from FIFA and CAF inspected facilities within the stadium complex as well as hotels in the city ahead of the inaugural edition of the Africa Football League in October this year.
The NFF and the Federal Ministry of Sports are looking to bring the Nations Cup to the country for the first time since 2000 when Nigeria co-hosted the tournament with Ghana.
The joint bid from Nigeria/Benin Republic will face strong competition from Algeria, Botswana, Egypt and a joint candidacy from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda for the 2027 tournament.
