One potential venue (Warri) was removed after recent violence flared up in the Niger Delta.

The 2009 edition was under increasing threats from the armed rebel group The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) and warned FIFA against hosting the tournament in Nigeria.

[6] However, the militants were offered amnesty in exchange for laying down their weapons, and the tournament went on smoothly without any incidents.

The final draw for the group stage was held on 7 August 2009 at the International Conference Centre in Abuja.

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