Nigeria handed Under-20 AFCON opportunity following Ghana hosting setback

According to OwnGoalNigeria.com, CAF has informed the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) that the Under-20 national team should remain on standby for a possible place in the continental competition, which also serves as the qualifying tournament for the FIFA Under-20 World Cup.

Ghana were initially awarded the hosting rights but are now set to lose the opportunity after failing to fulfil the necessary hosting requirements. CAF is expected to announce a new host for the competition.

The development could work in Nigeria's favour, having initially missed out on qualification during the WAFU B tournament.

Only one team from the zone was guaranteed a place at the continental tournament because Ghana were expected to qualify automatically as hosts.

Nigeria finished as runners-up after suffering a 4-1 defeat to Burkina Faso in the WAFU B final, with the latter securing the zone's only available qualifying spot.

However, with Ghana potentially losing their hosting status, the additional place allocated to the hosts could now become available to Nigeria as the beaten finalists.

Meanwhile, the NFF have reportedly moved to prepare for the possibility of the Flying Eagles participating in the tournament by approaching Abdullahi Biffo to take charge of the team.

Biffo is expected to replace Abdul Maikaba, who was in charge of the Nigerian side during the WAFU B competition, should their participation be confirmed.

The tournament is expected to be played from 14 March until 3 April next year.