04 Aug 2023

Botswana’s ability to host major international events places the country in better stead to win the AFCON 2027 soccer tournament bid, Chairman of the Botswana Africa Cup of Nation Bid Committee, Mr Ashford Mamelodi has said.

Mr Mamelodi premised his statement on the recent successful hosting of events such as Forbes under 30 Summit and the US-Africa Business Summit.

He told BOPA in an interview, following inspection by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) team of inspectors in Francistown on Friday, that the country’s knack for successfully hosting significant events and its many virtues such as stability were among the many strengths Botswana had over competitors.

Besides Botswana, countries such as Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, Egypt and Algeria are in pursuit to win the rights to host the African soccer showpiece.

“I think in terms of hosting we are very strong and we have proved ourselves in the recent past. Strong tourism and stability, which we always gloss over, help strengthen our position,” he said adding that meeting the demands of CAF in terms of the stadia and other requisite infrastructure was core.

Botswana Football Association (BFA) president, Mr MaClean Letshwiti said Botswana had all that it takes to put up a competitive bid and meet the CAF standards.

The infrastructure that will arise due to the bid, according to Mr Letshwiti, would also help accelerate sports development, boost tourism and create jobs.

“It is not only sport, it is about the improvement of both sporting and general infrastructure across the country such as roads, hospitals and the general economy of the country,” he said.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth Sport and Culture, Mr Kitso Kemoeng expressed that Botswana government was committed to the bid and to successfully host the 2027 AFCON soccer tournament.

“Up to now the government has supported the bidding process, incrementally we have received government support,” he stated.

BFA vice president and Francistown Regional Football Association (FRAFA), Mr Maokaneng Bontshetse concurred that the upgrade of the sporting facility in preparation for possible hosting of the African football event would tremendously improve the local game.

“As regions we play on dusty grounds and we see this as a huge opportunity for the developments that will be coming here. Developments such as the erection of floodlights will be a welcome development for our regions,” he said.

While in Francistown, the team of three CAF inspectors toured Philip Gaonwe Matante International Airport, Obert Itani Chilume Stadium, Old Francistown Stadium and Thapama Hotel before heading to Kasane.

The verdict of who will host the 2027 AFCON finals is expected to be announced in September. Ends