07 Feb 2023

Former Botswana Football Association (BFA) president, Dikgang Makgalemele, has hailed Botswana and Namibia for jointly bidding to host the African Cup of Nations tournament (AFCON 2027.)

In an interview, he said when he was the BFA president between 2005 and 2008, there was an attempt to host the AFCON 2012, but the move was not approved at cabinet level.

He said financial issues affected their bid and that the decision to partner with Namibia would lower costs.

He said he was confident that the BONA 2027 bid would succeed because the two countries had assembled a knowledgeable committee to drive the bid.

“The bid committee in led by Ashford Mamelodi and his broad experience and exposure in football is an advantage. We also have competent administrators like Segolame Ramotlhwa in the committee. He was my vice president and I know his capabilities. Other members of the committee are equally capable,” he said.

He added that the bid committee was in a good position to deliver the bid given their vast experience.

The former Shoshong MP also said he had approached Mamelodi, BFA president, Maclean Letshwiti and Minister of Sport, Tumiso Rakgare to offer his assistance if they needed help in any capacity. 

“I am sure many other Batswana are also available to assist,” he said.

Makgalemele noted that the president of the Malawian Football Association, who they worked with was still at the helm, and that they were still in regular contact.

“I was also a member of the Pan African Parliament and some of my former colleagues are now in cabinet and some are ministers of sport so I can play a role,” he said.

For his part, former national team player, Patrick Zibochwa, said the bid was a welcome development and that it would come with positives.

He noted that Botswana qualified for AFCON 2012 and that their participation made them realise that the country could also host the finals.  ENDS