Zambia on standby as Africa Cup of Nations host

Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Issa Hayatou has met with Zambian president, Edgar Lungu, promising that Zambia may get a chance to host the Africa Cup of Nations earlier than the 2025 window, should any already-confirmed host withdraw.

Hayatou said that Zambia had impressed CAF with the manner in which it had organised the recent Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations.

Hayatou had a meeting with Lungu and expressed his gratitude at the level of support the government had given to the country’s hosting of the tournament.

“Zambia met all our requirements. Let them start procedure once the bid is open, but if any country fails, we won’t even request for a bid, we shall directly give Zambia (the chance) to host,” Hayatou said.

Hosts for the Africa Cup of Nations have already been lined up to 2023, but some countries have withdrawn at the last minute in the recent past, giving an opportunity to standby hosts.

President Lungu made it clear that Zambia would take any opportunity to host a bigger tournament, after the success of the 2017 Under-20 edition.

“Zambia has never had a chance to host a senior tournament and the junior tournament was the first. Give us a chance to host,” he implored.

Hosts Zambia won the 2017 Under-20 AFCON, beating Senegal 2-0 in the final.