Antony Chawagarira
HARARE – Zimbabwe’s hopes of being part of a historic regional bid to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) are under fresh scrutiny following concerns raised by South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie over the country’s stadium infrastructure.
McKenzie said Southern African nations interested in jointly hosting the continental football showcase will undergo infrastructure assessments before a final decision is made on the proposed bid. Speaking ahead of a key COSAFA meeting scheduled for Zimbabwe later this month, the South African minister stressed that participating countries must demonstrate readiness through CAF-approved stadiums and supporting facilities.
“We want to see their stadiums because we don’t want people telling us they are still going to build,” McKenzie said, adding that the final position on the joint bid would be determined after consultations with regional football stakeholders.
South Africa is spearheading a proposed multi-country AFCON bid involving Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique and Lesotho.
However, Zimbabwe’s ongoing stadium challenges remain a major concern. The country has for years failed to host international matches after CAF deemed local venues unfit for continental competitions.
Efforts to refurbish the National Sports Stadium and other facilities have been ongoing, but delays in renovations continue to cast uncertainty over the nation’s ability to meet CAF requirements in time for the AFCON bid process.
Zimbabwe has also been exploring plans to construct a new international-standard stadium in Victoria Falls as part of wider ambitions to strengthen its sporting infrastructure and tourism appeal.
McKenzie indicated that South Africa remains prepared to host the tournament independently should regional partners fail to satisfy the required standards.
The upcoming COSAFA gathering in Zimbabwe is now expected to play a critical role in shaping the future of the regional bid and determining whether Zimbabwe can remain part of the ambitious Southern African hosting plan. CAF is expected to decide on the hosts for the 2028 AFCON in the coming months, with Morocco also emerging as a strong contender to stage Africa’s premier football tournament once again.
