Nigeria’s national team, Super Eagles will prefer that this year’s Africa Cup of Nations should hold in South Africa, in order to give them an extra boost toward winning the trophy for a fourth time in history.
Footballlive.ng gathered as much from a survey that previewed many upcoming soccer events in Africa, during which it was highlighted how the Eagles won their third AFCON title in Nelson Mandela’s country.
Consequently, the survey hinted that Nigeria could stand a much better chance of replicating their feat of 2013, when late Stephen Okechukwu Keshi was in charge of the Eagles.
The report hinted further that efforts could be in place by officials of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to swing the pendulum of next week’s hosting nod for AFCON 2019 to The Rainbow Nation.
AFCON 2019, with new dates and an expanded 24-team line-up will take centre stage in the summer, but the hosts nation is yet to be decided, so the NFF might be working behind the scene to sway the decision.
Confederation of African Football (CAF) will announce next Wednesday whether Egypt or South Africa will stage the June 15-July 13 tournament – after Cameroon were dropped for preparation delay and security fears.
A survey by AFP Sport stated in part: “There is little to choose between Egypt and South Africa ahead of a fourth straight Cup of Nations to be held in a country not originally chosen as hosts.
“One marked difference would be the weather with Egypt experiencing northern hemisphere summer heat in June and July while South Africa shivers in the southern hemisphere winter.
“Should Egypt be named hosts, the record seven-time African champions would be favoured to go one better than 2017 when they lost the final to Cameroon in Libreville.
“Were South Africa to get the nod, the chances of Senegal, Tunisia, Morocco and Nigeria lifting the trophy would increase. ”
