The real reason Finidi George's Super Eagles may not play AFCON 2025

In a concerning development for Finidi George, the Super Eagles and Super Falcons, the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, WAFCON, and the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, are teetering on the brink of potential cancellation or postponement.

Pulse Sports Nigeria reports that this ominous situation has raised serious questions about the leadership and decision-making capabilities of the Confederation of African Football, CAF.

Morocco was awarded the hosting rights for the 2024 WAFCON nearly two years ago, but in a baffling turn of events, the tournament has yet to secure a coveted spot in FIFA's international match calendar – a crucial prerequisite for any major competition to proceed as scheduled.

Without this vital calendar slot, the WAFCON, a flagship event for African women's football, faces an uncertain future.

Adding to the chaos, the 2025 AFCON, the premier men's national team tournament on the continent, which was also awarded to Morocco in September 2023, finds itself in a similar predicament.

The dates for this prestigious event have not been confirmed in the international calendar, casting doubt over its timely execution.

In a startling admission, Osasu stated further that CAF President Patrice Motsepe recently revealed that the scheduling of these tournaments is now in the hands of FIFA.

Motsepe even suggested the possibility of hosting a CHAN-like WAFCON, featuring only players based in Africa, as a potential solution – a move that could significantly diminish the event's prestige and competitiveness.

This development is particularly alarming, as it appears to be a tacit acknowledgment of CAF's inability to coordinate effectively with FIFA and secure the necessary calendar slots for their flagship competitions, a task that other continental governing bodies have already accomplished.

The lack of decisive leadership and forward planning from CAF has placed African football in a precarious position, with the future of the 2024 WAFCON and 2025 AFCON hanging precariously in the balance.

The implications of this crisis could be far-reaching, potentially impacting the participation of national teams like Findi George's Super Eagles in the 2025 AFCON, and jeopardizing their ability to properly prepare and qualify for the event.