Countries in Southern Africa under the COSAFA football association have submitted a joint bid to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The bid includes Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe, which have united under COSAFA with the aim of strengthening the region’s chances of securing hosting rights for Africa’s biggest football tournament.
Process completed according to procedures
President of the Botswana Football Association (BFA), Tariq Babitseng, confirmed that preparations for the bid have been completed and that it was submitted on time and in full compliance with CAF regulations.
Babitseng said the four countries are confident they can successfully host AFCON 2028 due to their strong cooperation and joint preparations.
Objectives of the joint bid
According to COSAFA, the main goals of the proposal are to bring member states together to:
- Promote football development in Southern Africa
- Improve and upgrade sports infrastructure
- Increase investment in the sports sector
- Provide opportunities for emerging talent through major tournaments
Football leaders in the region say a joint hosting model would bring both economic and social benefits to all participating countries.
Strong competition for CAF hosting rights
Although the COSAFA bid is considered strong due to regional cooperation, it faces competition from other parts of Africa that have also expressed interest in hosting AFCON 2028.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is expected to review all bids and conduct a thorough evaluation before announcing the official host nation(s) for the tournament.
