Cote d’Ivoire Replaces Nigeria as Host of 2025 WAFU B U-17 Championship

The West African Football Union (WAFU) Zone B has officially shifted the 2025 U-17 Championship from Nigeria to Cote d’Ivoire. The tournament, originally scheduled to take place in Nigeria next month, was set to be hosted at the Moshood Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta and the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne.

However, WAFU B announced a change in venue due to ongoing renovation works at one of the designated stadiums. The Remo Stars Stadium, which was meant to serve as a key host ground for the competition, recently commenced upgrades, prompting the regional football body to reconsider Nigeria’s readiness.

The decision to relocate the tournament was confirmed by WAFU officials who cited the timing and scale of renovations as incompatible with the event’s tight schedule. Despite earlier preparations by Nigeria, the current state of the facilities was deemed unsuitable to host the championship effectively.

The 2025 WAFU B U-17 Championship will now take place in Cote d’Ivoire from September 11 to 25. The shift underscores WAFU’s commitment to ensuring a smooth and well-organized tournament, prioritizing infrastructure readiness and the quality of the competition.