The Nigerian star Asisat Oshoala, a prominent player in African football, has sparked widespread controversy after her statements regarding the African Football Confederation (CAF)’s focus on Morocco in organizing major tournaments and granting international awards.
Oshoala, who currently plays in the Saudi Women’s League with Al Hilal and represents Nigeria’s national team, stated on her X platform account: “The big question here is: when will this ongoing focus of CAF on Morocco end? Awards, tournaments, everything… it has become boring. We need other countries to step up.”
The prominent Nigerian player, who has won the title of Best African Player six times, added that everything related to African football is happening in Morocco, to the point that it seems like the new headquarters of CAF.
Oshoala called for a joint hosting by African countries neighboring Nigeria, considering that regional cooperation makes this idea realistic if there is sufficient commitment.
She said: “We can host the tournament with our neighbors if we are serious. Cameroon, Ghana, Benin, Togo… they are all close, you can’t tell me that two of these five countries cannot host the AFCON together.”
Oshoala’s statements come at a time when international attention is focused on Morocco’s qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations final for the first time in 24 years after its victory over Nigeria in a penalty shootout 4–2.
The Confederation of African Football indicates that Morocco was chosen to host the tournament due to its modern infrastructure and organizational capability. Morocco’s hosting also serves as preparation for its participation in co-hosting the World Cup 2030.
However, Oshoala’s statements revived the discussion on the necessity of achieving greater regional balance in African football and granting other countries like Nigeria and neighboring nations opportunities to host major continental tournaments.
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