Côte d’Ivoire to Host 2025 WAFU B U-17 Championship After Nigeria Loses Hosting Rights

The 2025 WAFU B U-17 Championship will now be staged in Côte d’Ivoire instead of Nigeria, TalkTalk Nigeria reports.

The tournament, originally scheduled for next month in Nigeria, was set to hold at the Moshood Abiola Sports Arena, Abeokuta, and the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne. However, the WAFU B council confirmed that the hosting rights have been moved due to ongoing renovation works at the Remo Stars Stadium.

Renovation at the Ikenne facility only commenced this week, making it impossible for the ground to be ready in time. As a result, Côte d’Ivoire has stepped in as host, with the competition now set to run from September 11 to 25, 2025.

Opinion

While it is disappointing that Nigeria will not host the championship as initially planned, the decision by WAFU is both practical and necessary. Hosting a tournament of this magnitude requires readiness on all fronts—stadiums, logistics, and facilities—and any shortfall could undermine the players’ experience and the credibility of the event.

That said, Nigeria must see this as a wake-up call. Too often, infrastructural delays cost the country the chance to showcase its footballing heritage on the continental stage. With Nigeria’s rich history in youth football, the nation should be setting the standard for hosting, not losing opportunities due to incomplete facilities.

On the bright side, Côte d’Ivoire’s emergence as host ensures the competition retains its prestige and continuity. It also reflects the growing strength of football infrastructure across West Africa.

For Nigeria, the takeaway is clear: planning and timely execution matter. With the right preparation, the country can not only regain its place as a host for future tournaments but also use such opportunities to project its footballing culture to the world. Until then, fans will be watching from afar—hoping the Golden Eaglets shine brightly, regardless of where the tournament is played.