Zimbabwe Joins Six-Nation Bid to Co-Host 2028 Africa Cup of Nations

Zimbabwe is set to join five other southern African nations in a proposed joint bid with South Africa to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations, South Africa’s sports minister Gayton McKenzie has announced.

McKenzie said South Africa is working with Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and Mozambique on the proposed regional bid for the continental football tournament.

“We are making a bid for the 2028 Afcon. We are doing it with Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and Mozambique,” McKenzie said on Wednesday.

According to the minister, a key meeting involving the participating countries is expected to take place in Harare later this month. The discussions are expected to focus on formalising the joint hosting arrangement and assessing each country’s readiness.

McKenzie said the meeting would take place during the Cosafa presidential elections scheduled for May 17 in Zimbabwe. Officials from the countries involved are expected to meet on the sidelines of the event.

“We will be meeting with the different countries to discuss this matter,” McKenzie said.

He stated that stadium infrastructure would play a major role in determining whether countries are included in the final bid. According to McKenzie, countries seeking to participate would need to demonstrate that their facilities are already in place or close to completion.

“We want to see their stadiums because we don’t want people telling us they are still going to build. At that meeting the final decision will be taken,” he said.

McKenzie also indicated that South Africa was prepared to continue with the bid even if the regional co-hosting arrangement does not materialise.

Zimbabwe currently does not have a FIFA-approved stadium for international football matches. However, renovations at the National Sports Stadium could improve the country’s chances of meeting international standards during the next inspection process.

South Africa last hosted the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013, when the tournament was staged across several cities in the country. The latest proposal reflects growing regional interest in co-hosting major sporting events within southern Africa.