Guinea has declined to offer Senegal a co-host role for the 2025 edition of Africa Cup of Nations because “it doesn’t want to lean behind someone” in hosting of the continent’s biggest football showpiece.
The West African nation was given rights to host the 2025 edition but neighbouring Senegal proposed to assist Guinea to host the biennial men’s football event.
Guinea’s Minister of Sports, Bantama Sow, announced on Thursday that the government will not accept Dakar offer, as it’s looking forward to hosting their first-ever continental tournament.
“Organizing the Africa Cup of Nations is a big project and everyone in this country must get involved. Hosting the competition will create many jobs for our people and contribute to the development of this nation,” says Sow.
“Guinea has never hosted the Africa Cup of Nations. We will do it and we will not hide behind someone for that. We can organize the championship in 2025. Let’s all fight for the success of this project, I promise I’ll do the impossible,” adds Saw.
“Despite the Coronavirus crisis, which slowed our momentum, I do not despair. I assure you that we are going to succeed, it is a winning team. Let no one hesitate about the success of this project,” Saw concluded.
The President of Senegal Football Federation Augustin Senghor had proposed to the governments of Guinea and Senegal to host the championship saying that both countries would benefit a lot if they share hosting duties.
Guinea were initially set to host the 2023 AFCON but were awarded the 2025 tournament after Cameroon was stripped off the hosting right of the 2019 edition. Cameroon was then awarded the 2021 edition and the 2020 African Nations Championship.
Co-hosting a major tournament like the African Cup of Nations is not a novelty on the continent. In 2012, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea jointly hosted the men’s football event just like Ghana and Nigeria in 2000.
