19 Jun 2023

Botswana AFCON 2027 bid committee (BONA2027) has appreciated Maun village leadership’s support towards the country’s dream to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

Maun had been earmarked as one of the potential hosts and the committee engaged the leadership on Friday to apprise them on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) inspection mission and what was required of them should the country win the bid and the journey so far.

Speaking in an interview, the bid committee chairperson, Ashford Mamelodi revealed that the support they got from the leadership of all visited potential host areas was overwhelming, noting that they had so far visited Lobatse, Kasane, Francistown and they would continue to engage local authorities in other areas such as Jwaneng and Gaborone.

He noted that it was important to engage local authorities to work as a unit to embrace the whole process, including the inspection geared towards appreciating the facilities in the areas such as hospitality, sports, health facilities as well as airports, among others.

During the engagement meeting, he said they discussed issues such as determining the route to be used by visitors and put some advertisement material, branding of local taxis and showcasing of diverse and unique cultural activities.

As the bid committee, he said they had put their best forward more so that they were competing with other two countries for the bid.

He was optimistic about the selected facilities impressing the CAF inspection team, adding that they also had a compelling bid book.

Mamelodi appreciated that a plot had been identified in Maun during the audit exercise for the construction of a new stadium, should the country win the bid.

The plot is located at Boseja ward in an area measuring 15 hectares, about 15km from the central business district.

The proposed stadium, he said, was also adjacent to a tarred road and close to facilities such as hospitals and hotels.

He said although they needed three more training venues with natural grass and training lights,  Maun Sports Complex could not be used because artificial surface was not allowed. Ends