Namibia to host 2016 COSAFA Cup
Correspondent | Friday August 21, 2015 14:36
Namibia will stage the event for the first time in their history between May 15-29 at two venues in the capital Windhoek – the Sam Nujoma Stadium and Independence Stadium.
The Ministry of Sport, Youth & National Service confirmed to the Namibian Football Association (NFA) that they would give the necessary financial guarantees to stage the event.
“The NFA is extremely pleased with the confidence COSAFA has shown by entrusting its flagship competition to our association,” NFA secretary general Barry Rukoro said. “Hosting this competition will give the growth and development of the game in our country a whole new impetus. We know, as we have seen from the African Women’s Championship recently, that after this tournament next year more than ever before, children in Namibia will choose to play football over any other sport. “As a National Association, that is what we want as a “take-away” from the event.”
Rukoro’s words were echoed by NFA President Frans Mbidi, who also thanked the Namibian government for their support.
“We are highly indebted to our National Government, the Government of our young Republic, for the backing they have given the NFA during the bidding, and will give during the hosting, of the COSAFA Cup 2016,” Mbidi said. Namibia this year became the fifth nation to win the COSAFA Cup since its inception in 1997. Zimbabwe and Zambia have four wins each, while South Africa and Angola have each won on three occasions. (COSAFA)