The North African nation will host the continental tournament for the second time, after staging it in 1988. Nigeria, which hosted the AFCON in 1980 and co-hosted with Ghana in 2000, had hoped to host the 36th edition of the competition, but CAF opted for the East African trio of Ethiopia, Guinea and Ivory Coast for the 2023, 2027 and 2031 editions respectively.

Alphonsus Dike, a former national coach, said that Nigeria's failure to secure the hosting rights was not a bad thing, and advised the authorities to use the funds to improve the facilities and infrastructure in the country.

He said that Nigeria had enough talent to compete and win the AFCON, regardless of where it is held.

--Tony Ubani--