Hosting Afcon 2027 an impossible dream?
The executive director in the ministry of sport, Audrin Mathe, says Namibia will only decide whether to accept Botswana’s request to co-host the Africa Cup of Nations after a thorough assessment of infrastructure is done.
JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA
WINDHOEK
Namibia’s capability of co-hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations or any other international activity at their football stadiums will be put to the test following a tempting request from Botswana to co-host the tournament.
As things stand, two of the country’s football stadiums, namely the Independence and Sam Nujoma stadiums, have been written off by Caf and Fifa after failing to maintain required standards to host international matches.
Namibia however still received Botswana’s request with open arms and is considering the appealing proposal.
“We have not made a decision yet, given that we still need to meet as a ministry with other stakeholders. We can however confirm that we did receive the invitation and have to make assessments of our infrastructure before taking any decision.
“This will then have to be passed to the cabinet for approval before anything,” Mathe said.
The Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek was declared unfit for failing multiple CAF stadium requirements. These include: a poor artificial pitch which requires replacement, inadequate and poor teams and officials benches, no fixed individual spectator seats in all sectors in the stadium, dressing rooms need to be modern and of international standard, media and medical facilities need to be upgraded and the stadium needs general improvement and upgrade work.
The Independence Stadium on the other side of the city also needs multiple refurbishments in order to be restored to Caf and Fifa standards.
Millions of dollars will be required to fix the stadiums in time to bid for the competition.
The other requirements to host events of such nature will be good hospitality, health and safety.
Namibia has in the past hosted the Cosafa Cup and the 2014 African Women Championship, which is equivalent to the men’s Afcon competition.
Football coach Woody Jacobs believes that co-hosting the competition will benefit the country in many ways.
“This will be a great opportunity for Namibia as it can benefit the players and the infrastructure,” Jacobs said.
What is the Africa Cup of Nations?
The Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) is the biennial international men's football championship of Africa organised by the Confederation of African Football (Caf).
The tournament this year is being hosted in Cameroon as Africa’s top nations are vying for the crown which Algeria won in Egypt in 2019.
The next tournament after Cameroon is set to be hosted Ivory Coast in 2023, While Guinea won the 2025 Afcon Bid.
Only South Africa and Angola won respective bids to host the Africa Cup of nations in Southern Africa in the history of the competition.
South Africa hosted the tournament in 1996 and again in 2013, while Angola hosted it in 2010.
WINDHOEK
Namibia’s capability of co-hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations or any other international activity at their football stadiums will be put to the test following a tempting request from Botswana to co-host the tournament.
As things stand, two of the country’s football stadiums, namely the Independence and Sam Nujoma stadiums, have been written off by Caf and Fifa after failing to maintain required standards to host international matches.
Namibia however still received Botswana’s request with open arms and is considering the appealing proposal.
“We have not made a decision yet, given that we still need to meet as a ministry with other stakeholders. We can however confirm that we did receive the invitation and have to make assessments of our infrastructure before taking any decision.
“This will then have to be passed to the cabinet for approval before anything,” Mathe said.
The Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek was declared unfit for failing multiple CAF stadium requirements. These include: a poor artificial pitch which requires replacement, inadequate and poor teams and officials benches, no fixed individual spectator seats in all sectors in the stadium, dressing rooms need to be modern and of international standard, media and medical facilities need to be upgraded and the stadium needs general improvement and upgrade work.
The Independence Stadium on the other side of the city also needs multiple refurbishments in order to be restored to Caf and Fifa standards.
Millions of dollars will be required to fix the stadiums in time to bid for the competition.
The other requirements to host events of such nature will be good hospitality, health and safety.
Namibia has in the past hosted the Cosafa Cup and the 2014 African Women Championship, which is equivalent to the men’s Afcon competition.
Football coach Woody Jacobs believes that co-hosting the competition will benefit the country in many ways.
“This will be a great opportunity for Namibia as it can benefit the players and the infrastructure,” Jacobs said.
What is the Africa Cup of Nations?
The Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) is the biennial international men's football championship of Africa organised by the Confederation of African Football (Caf).
The tournament this year is being hosted in Cameroon as Africa’s top nations are vying for the crown which Algeria won in Egypt in 2019.
The next tournament after Cameroon is set to be hosted Ivory Coast in 2023, While Guinea won the 2025 Afcon Bid.
Only South Africa and Angola won respective bids to host the Africa Cup of nations in Southern Africa in the history of the competition.
South Africa hosted the tournament in 1996 and again in 2013, while Angola hosted it in 2010.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article