Nigeria in pole position to host 2020 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup final

Harry Awurumibe

The coast may have been clear for Nigeria to host another international tournament as feelers from the Zurich headquarters of the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) suggest that Nigeria stands a good chance to be awarded hosting rights of the 2020 FIFA U-20 World Cup final.

Sources conversant with the workings at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Glass House, Abuja confirmed that there was intent by the football house hierarchy to bid for the hosting of an international competition in the nearest future, although there was no confirmation whether it will be a FIFA or CAF tournament.

It was however learnt today that both the NFF and FIFA will in the coming days come out with official statements on the matter just as sources close to FIFA has revealed that officials from the world body are already planning an inspection exercise to Nigeria to ascertain if the country would be fit to host the second biggest women football event on the FIFA calendar.

The inspection slated for next month and to be led by FIFA top officials will focus on Nigeria’s sporting infrastructure, operations, security and medical among other things.

It was also gathered that the world football governing is planning to spend as much as $4m on the event which effectively takes off a huge chunk of the financial burden from Nigeria, if finally given the hosting rights.

It will be recalled that NFF President, Amaju Melvin Pinnick remains an important member of the Organising Committee for FIFA competitions and despite stepping down as CAF’s 1^st

Vice President remains a strong member of the CAF Executive Committee.

Interestingly, Nigeria has made it to the final of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup on two occasions in 2010 and 2014 but was defeated by Germany both times.

The last FIFA event held in Nigeria was the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup, which was the thirteenth edition of the tournament.

It was staged from October 24 to 15 November 2009 across some major cities in the country.

The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup is an international association football tournament, organised by FIFA for national teams of women under the age of 20.

The tournament is held in even-numbered years.

It was first conducted in 2002 as the FIFA U-19 Women’s World Championship with an upper age limit of 19. In 2006, the age limit was raised to the current 20.

No African country has ever hosted the event and Nigeria is looking set to be the first, having been said to be favoured now by FIFA to stage the 10th edition of the biennial football event.