Oshoala questions CAF’s focus on Morocco, calls for Nigeria-led AFCON co-hosting

Super Falcons striker, Asisat Oshoala, has questioned the Confederation of African Football’s continued concentration of major tournaments and awards in Morocco, calling for broader inclusion of other African nations in hosting continental competitions.

Oshoala, who plays for Saudi Women’s Premier League club Al Hilal and the Nigeria national team, made the remarks on X on Thursday.

“The big question here is when will this whole @CAF_Online compensation to Morocco end? Awards, tournaments and all… it’s getting boring now. We need other countries to step up.

“Everything concerning African football happens in Morocco; it feels like that’s the new HQ,” she said.

The six-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year argued that Nigeria could successfully host the Africa Cup of Nations through regional collaboration, insisting that proximity to neighbouring countries makes co-hosting realistic if there is sufficient commitment.

“We can co-host with our neighbours if we are serious. Cameroon, Ghana, Benin, Togo are all next door… you can’t tell me two of these five neighbouring countries can’t co-host AFCON,” she said.

Her comments come amid heightened attention on Morocco’s growing influence in African football, following the country’s qualification for the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Hosts Morocco booked their place in the final on Wednesday night after defeating Nigeria 4–2 on penalties following a goalless draw in a tense semi-final clash at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah in Rabat.

The result marked Morocco’s first appearance in the AFCON final in 24 years, having last reached the showpiece match at the 2002 edition of the continental tournament.

The 35th edition of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations is currently taking place in Morocco with CAF citing the country’s modern infrastructure, organisational capacity and football culture as key reasons for its selection.

Morocco’s hosting of the competition also forms part of a broader sporting vision, following several recent CAF events and ahead of its co-hosting of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

While CAF has consistently praised Morocco’s readiness to stage major tournaments, Oshoala’s comments have reignited debate over regional balance and the need for more African countries, including Nigeria and its neighbours, to be given opportunities to host Africa’s biggest football events.