10 Jul 2022

The Botswana-Namibia (BONA) Bid Committee does not know requirements needed to host the AFCON.

Consequently, the bid committee chairperson, Ashford Mamelodi, said they were relying on previous tournaments regarding requirements for hosting the African showpiece.

Speaking at a press conference in Gaborone on Thursday, Mamelodi said the committee was aware that following the last AFCON in Cameron, CAF re-visited hosting requirements. 

Mamelodi, however, said BONA 2027 was cognisant of the fact that six venues would have to be provided.

“We also need quality hotel rooms for teams and officials, good roads and air network systems, international standard broadcast capability and good health infrastructure,” he added.

Regarding the facilities audit, Mamelodi said there was need for an expert to audit the two countries’ facilities so as to advise accordingly. 

“It is against this backdrop that the audit is being carried out such that BONA 2027 can continue advising Botswana and Namibia governments for planning purposes,” he said.  He said before the countries started thinking about bidding for the continental showpiece, the two governments were already doing a lot in improving roads, airports, health facilities and others.

On other issues, Mamelodi said the committee would disband after announcement of the bid winner and should BONA be successful, they would hand the button to presidents of the two football federations to constitute a local organising committee. 

BONA 2027 vice chairperson, John Muinjo, said the support of the two governments including the heads of state was motivating. 

He said there was no how lack of CAF accredited facilities in Namibia could negatively affect the prospects of the bid. He said the country was currently upgrading football facilities to CAF standards and new construction was carried out.