EDITORIAL: Our Afcon dream that never was

Our bid to co-host the 2027 African Cup of Nations (Afcon) was dead right at conception. What was pending all along was the formal, morbid announcement, which sports minister Agnes Tjongarero eventually delivered this week.We live in a world of reality, not fantasy football, where nerds and millennials select imaginary teams and players for a Saturday shootout on a computer.The real Namibian world is one without facilities and resources. But in our imaginary state, we are world beaters who can host a continental championship in facilities whose fate lies in the unknown.The fanatical bid to co-host Afcon was dead in the water the very day it was uttered from the big lips of our government. There are no functioning soccer stadiums - and now no financial resources. It’s like shooting blanks in the paternity sweepstakes.Even if the Confederation of African Football (CAF) had genuinely wanted to grant us a rare bite at the cherry of hosting this showpiece, on what would they base such green-lighting? Because Namibian politicians said all will be ready come 2027?Our neighbours Botswana, our fantasy co-hosts, must be hitting their heads against the wall, blaming themselves for giving our country the benefit of the doubt that - maybe, just maybe – we could do this together.Putting donkeys before the cart is a Namibian pastime. We love overcommitting and overpromising. Before our eggs even hatch, we start promising everyone a chicken.

EDITORIAL: Our Afcon dream that never was

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Namibian Sun 2026-09-25

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EDITORIAL: Our Afcon dream that never was

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Namibian Sun 2026-09-25

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