20 Sep 2023

The suspense that has lingered for months comes to an end on September 27 when the Confederations of African Football (CAF) executive committee meets in Cairo, Egypt to announce the winning bid for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) hosts.

On the card are bids from Botswana, Algeria, Senegal, joint bid between Benin and Nigeria as well as a tripartite of Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya.

The Botswana delegation jetting off to the Egyptian capital for the announcement comprise Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture, Tumiso Rakgare, Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) chairperson, Marumo Morule and his chief executive officer, Tuelo Serufho, Botswana Football Association (BFA) first and second vice presidents, Masego Ntshingane and Maokaneng Bontshetse respectively, the association’s CEO, Mfolo Mfolo as well as the Bid Committee (BidCo) chairperson, Ashford Mamelodi.

Addressing the media on September 20, Mamelodi said given all work and effort to put up a competitive bid, Botswana would be heading to Cairo with full confidence of winning the bid for the continental football showpiece.

“We gave it our best shot and we couldn’t have done more. We will be awaiting the announcement with confidence. However, lobbying will continue until the last minute because once you get your eyes off the ball you can get hurt,” Mamelodi said. He said for the first time, bidding countries would be given a chance to verbally present their bids before a vote was done.

He added that throughout the journey, the BidCo had continuously responded timely to issues raised.

Again, he said during the CAF conference that was held in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire, they did not manage to meet all the people they intended to meet to lobby, but managed to make some important phone calls.

“Those that we managed to talk to were impressed with our bid book, but have been sincere enough to tell us that they were also looking at other competing bids,” he said.

Mamelodi further said the committee would meet soon to close the BONA bid, which was a joint effort between Botswana and Namibia before the neighbouring country withdrew at the last minute.

“The exercise will mean that the committee is accounting for everything, including funds spent,” he said.

On one hand, he appreciated all stakeholders who had supported the BidCo throughout the journey, including the public and awarded certificates of appreciation to all the sponsors.

Earlier in welcome remarks, Botswana Football Association (BFA) chief executive officer, Mfolo Mfolo said although the bid was a competition, they were confident that what the commitee had put together would land Botswana the hosting rights.

“We came into it to win it and we are hopeful it will be an early independence present for the country,” Mfolo said. ENDS