21 Feb 2023

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is yet to invite members to submit bids for hosting of AFCON 2027.

However, Botswana-Namibia 2027 (BONA 2027) joint bid committee chairperson, Ashford Mamelodi, told a press conference in Gaborone on Monday that the committee was still on course to deliver a bid book.

At the February 11 meeting, he said, the committee and stakeholders resolved to immediately procure services of a lead consultant for the bid book.

“So, in all likelihood, we are going to announce the consulting firm for the bid book to yourselves, even before we get the facilities audit report, because we don’t have time,” he added.

Mamelodi said, however, they expected the report of facilities audit mid-March and bid book not later than end of May. 

The facilities audit report, he said, would be in volumes.

He said first volume would be an executive summary, putting the two countries together and the budget requirements.

“The second volume will then talk to Botswana and each chapter would be on proposed host venues, in other words Gaborone will be a chapter on its own facilities, everything that has been audited, including Sir Seretse Khama Airport,” he said.

Mamelodi said arrangements were that should Botswana and Namibia win the bid, Windhoek will stage the opening game, while Gaborone would host the final.

He said auditing of facilities by Reuben Reddy Architects (RRA) in Botswana went well, adding that the audit team arrived in Windhoek on Monday where it would start with the Hosea Kutaku International Airport.

“As they move around the country they will also do Andima Toivo ya Toivo Airport in Ondangwa and Walvisbay Airport. They will then drive to Windhoek to audit facilities there,” he said.

Furthermore, Mamelodi said just like in Botswana, the RRA would meet Namibia Airports Company, Namibia Broadcast Corporation, Ministry of Heath, Ministry of Works, Namibia Tourism Board and Mobile Telecommunications Namibia.  ENDS