LIBERIAN President George Weah has added his backing for Morocco’s bid to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
The former striker, who is the only African ever to win football’s prestigious Ballon d’Or, awarded to the world’s best player, said he expressed his “fullest and strong” support for the nation who reached the semi-final of the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
This is coming 72 hours after, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo visited Liberia to attend a forum tagged “Conversation with the Vice President and Young People,” being hosted by his Liberian counterpart, Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor, as part of activities to mark Howard-Taylor’s 60th birthday anniversary.
A press release that was issued by the Media Aide to the Vice President, Mr. Laolu Akande then, said that Osinbajo would also hold a bilateral meeting with President George Weah of Liberia.
Osinbajo and other leaders from West Africa interacted with a group of selected 400 emerging leaders “sharing their growth, struggles, attainment, accomplishments and secrets,” according to information from the Office of the Liberian Vice President.
Whether or not, Osinbajo requested for Weah’s support on the joint bid of Nigeria-Benin for the AFCON 2025 was not known to this medium but details of Weah’s support for Morocco’s bid have emerged just 72 hours after the VP’s visit.
Weah relayed his backing in a summary report of MEDays International Peace Forum Meeting sent to Morocco and obtained by News Point Nigeria, Friday. The Peace Forum was hosted in the Moroccan city Tangier, in November 2022.
“Liberia fully endorses and supports Morocco’s bid to host Afcon 2025. I have made this commitment to King Mohamed VI. It is cast in stone,” Weah said in the report by Liberia’s State House following local media reports that he was ready to back Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 bid following Osinbajo’s visit a few days ago.
Weah cited Morocco’s investment in football development and said he has already begun campaigning for the bid with stakeholders around the continent.
The 56-year-old, who played for clubs including Monaco, AC Milan and Chelsea during an 18-year career, also spoke of Morocco bringing immense pride to Africa during the World Cup.
Algeria, South Africa and Zambia are the other nations seeking to replace Guinea, who were stripped of hosting rights because of concerns over infrastructure and facilities.
Confederation of African Football (Caf) inspection teams are touring the bidding countries this month.
Findings will be submitted to the 24-member Caf executive committee which will announce the winner on 10 February.