Botswana’s AFCON bid gets boost

Chakalisa Dube | Monday March 21, 2022 16:00

Obed Itani Chilume stadium is expected to be among the venues to host 2027 Africa Cup of Nations if Botswana's bid succeeds. PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO

Reports from Namibia are that the Southern African neighbours have agreed in principle to bid for the continental showpiece as co-hosts with Botswana. According to a Namibian publication, The Namibian, the Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Peya Mushelenga made the announcement on Friday. 'Namibia approved in principle the joint bid to co-host the 36th Africa Cup of Nations finals tournament with the Republic of Botswana on a 60:40 formula with Namibia bearing the 40 percent and associated benefits.

Cabinet mandated the Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service on behalf of Namibia to enter into a bidding process with Botswana and has since approved that budgetary provisions be made in the event the bidding process is successful,' the minister was quoted in the Namibian newspaper.

Botswana’s plans to host the tournament gained momentum early this year when the Cabinet reportedly granted the Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC) and the Botswana Football Association (BFA) permission to prepare a bid. BNSC chief executive officer (CEO), Tuelo Serufho recently told sister publication, Mmegi that they have been doing preliminary work on the bid for the 2027 AFCON finals.