Zim joins regional ‘power play’, throws bid for co-hosting 2028 AFCON

NewsSportsBy Nyasha ChumaHARARE— ZIMBABWE has thrown its name into the ring for a six-nation regional bid to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations where she links up with South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and Mozambique in what could be Southern Africa’s biggest football play in a decade.The joint push was confirmed by South Africa’s Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie, who laid down the terms in no uncertain terms where he denounced ‘ paper promises’ but only concrete stadiums.“We are making a bid for the 2028 Afcon with Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and Mozambique,” said McKenzie.The final decision goes down in Harare on May 17 during the Cosafa presidential elections, where co-hosting arrangements are set to be locked in. But McKenzie made it clear this won’t be a participation trophy.“We want to inspect the stadiums because we do not want countries saying they are still going to build. A final decision will be taken after that meeting,” he said.Progress report?

: Renovations of the NSS are reportedly moving at a high paceThat puts Zimbabwe under the spotlight. The country currently has no FIFA approved stadium for international matches which is a ‘red card’ on readiness. Renovations at the National Sports Stadium in Harare are underway and officials are banking on those upgrades to push Zimbabwe back into certification contention.McKenzie also played the hardball card, signaling South Africa is ready to go solo if the regional deal falls apart:“South Africa is prepared to proceed alone if the regional partnership does not materialise.”South Africa last hosted Afcon in 2013 and this time it’s angling to bring the tournament back with or without regional partners.

For Zimbabwe, the May 17 meeting is now a do-or-die inspection.Leave a ReplyCancel reply NewsSportsBy Nyasha ChumaHARARE— ZIMBABWE has thrown its name into the ring for a six-nation regional bid to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations where she links up with South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and Mozambique in what could be Southern Africa’s biggest football play in a decade.The joint push was confirmed by South Africa’s Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie, who laid down the terms in no uncertain terms where he denounced ‘ paper promises’ but only concrete stadiums.“We are making a bid for the 2028 Afcon with Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and Mozambique,” said McKenzie.The final decision goes down in Harare on May 17 during the Cosafa presidential elections, where co-hosting arrangements are set to be locked in. For Zimbabwe, the May 17 meeting is now a do-or-die inspection. HARARE— ZIMBABWE has thrown its name into the ring for a six-nation regional bid to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations where she links up with South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and Mozambique in what could be Southern Africa’s biggest football play in a decade.

[paywall]

The joint push was confirmed by South Africa’s Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie, who laid down the terms in no uncertain terms where he denounced ‘ paper promises’ but only concrete stadiums. “We are making a bid for the 2028 Afcon with Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and Mozambique,” said McKenzie. The final decision goes down in Harare on May 17 during the Cosafa presidential elections, where co-hosting arrangements are set to be locked in.

But McKenzie made it clear this won’t be a participation trophy. “We want to inspect the stadiums because we do not want countries saying they are still going to build. A final decision will be taken after that meeting,” he said.

That puts Zimbabwe under the spotlight. Renovations at the National Sports Stadium in Harare are underway and officials are banking on those upgrades to push Zimbabwe back into certification contention. McKenzie also played the hardball card, signaling South Africa is ready to go solo if the regional deal falls apart: “South Africa is prepared to proceed alone if the regional partnership does not materialise.” South Africa last hosted Afcon in 2013 and this time it’s angling to bring the tournament back with or without regional partners.

[/paywall]