Super Falcons forward Asisat Oshoala has raised concerns over the Confederation of African Football’s recurring preference for Morocco as the centre of major football events, urging the continental body to spread hosting opportunities more widely across Africa.
The Nigeria international, who currently plays for Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, expressed her views on X on Thursday, criticising what she described as CAF’s overreliance on one country for awards and competitions. She argued that the trend was becoming repetitive and called on other African nations to take more active roles in hosting.
Oshoala suggested that Nigeria could successfully stage the Africa Cup of Nations through a joint arrangement with neighbouring countries, pointing to Cameroon, Ghana, Benin, and Togo as viable partners. She insisted that with proper planning and commitment, co-hosting would be both practical and beneficial for the region.
Her remarks come at a time when Morocco’s influence in African football has been under the spotlight, particularly after the country secured a place in the 2025 AFCON final by defeating Nigeria on penalties in a tightly contested semi-final match in Rabat. The victory marked Morocco’s return to the AFCON final for the first time in over two decades.
Morocco is currently hosting the 35th edition of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations, with CAF highlighting its modern facilities, organisational strength, and strong football tradition as reasons for its selection. The country has also been active in continental football governance and is set to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Despite CAF’s praise for Morocco’s readiness to host major tournaments, Oshoala’s comments have revived discussions about fairer distribution of hosting rights and the need for greater inclusivity in African football administration.
